UNMC’s College of Dentistry in Lincoln is being recognized today by the Nebraska State Board of Health with an award for Dental Day V. The award is given to acknowledge community efforts to promote public health.
The free Dental Day clinics are a way for the College of Dentistry to promote good oral health among Nebraskans and give dental and dental hygiene students an opportunity to hone their skills. This is the third year the College of Dentistry has hosted Dental Day. The College of Dentistry’s next dental day is June 4 and 5 in Alliance, Neb.
“The faculty, staff and students of the College of Dentistry exemplify this with their free dental day clinics,” said Linda Heiden, a public member of the state board of health.
Heiden nominated the College of Dentistry for the award in March after finding out about Dental Day V last November from her dentist, Thomas Fagot, D.D.S., an alum of the dental college.
While at her dentist’s office, Heiden said she noticed a lot of activity taking place.
“When I asked what was going on I was surprised and delighted to find out that the dentists were doing free screenings for area children in preparation for Dental Day V,” she said.
Heiden said she was impressed with how many children — 76 of 80 kids screened that day – ended up receiving free dental services from the College of Dentistry the following February.
In March Heiden reported the good news to the state board of health, which meets every other month.
“We appreciate the recognition from a state-wide body like this,” said David G. Brown, Ph.D., professor of oral biology and executive associate dean at the College of Dentistry. “The faculty, staff and students from the College of Dentistry and local communities put in a lot of hard work, effort and volunteer time to benefit the underserved children across the state.”
On Feb. 27, 350 dental and dental hygiene students cared for 121 children from Hastings, Harvard, Norfolk and Lexington.
“We hope that our efforts improve the oral health of the children across the state,” Dr. Brown said.
The College of Dentistry, Heiden said, is a true resource to the state. “I’m just so excited that this program reaches out to rural Nebraska children who may not get to see a dentist on a regular basis because their families cannot afford services,” Heiden said.