COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Blinn Dental Hygiene Program offered its annual free children’s dental services called “Give Kids a Smile” on Thursday.
As part of its community dentistry course, Blinn dental students volunteer to help preschools and elementary-aged children with free dental services including x-rays, sealants, cleanings, and more.
This year’s theme was outer space with the goal to give each kid a smile that’s out of this world.
“We saw a need in the community; a lot of kids that weren’t getting preventive care,” explained Dana Wood who not only teaches at the Blinn College Dental Hygiene Program, but helped start Give Kids A Smile (GVAS) back in 2008. “So, the students actually said we want to do something to help the kids. What if we had a day where we did all their cleanings, X-rays, and they wouldn’t have to pay? That was 16 years ago, and it’s grown from that to this.”
The dental hygiene school has provided more than $260,000 worth of free dental services.
“It’s really crazy. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s really just to provide a dental care to children that don’t have quite the access to it, and trying to make a positive impression on them,” Head Chair of GVAS Kysan Buckner said.
Along with current students, some graduates come back to participate after graduation- along with volunteers from the Brazos Valley Dental Hygiene Society, area dentists, and other local volunteer dental professionals.
“It’s so rewarding, especially seeing the kiddos that come in a little timid, a little scared, and then when they leave; they’re smiling, they’re laughing. Just really making an impression on those kids- it’s pretty heartwarming, it’s very rewarding,” emphasized Buckner.
The event is coordinated, planned, and executed by Blinn dental students, and even recent graduates come back to volunteer. Moana and Spiderman also made an appearance to greet the young clientele.
The Blinn Dental Hygiene Program also offers discounted cleanings, examinations, x-rays, and more for $20 for the general public throughout the year.
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