 |
From left to right: Mike Iseman, D.D.S., pulls a tooth of Omar Garcia, 11, of Norfolk, while dental students, Bill Quinn and Tonya Volk assist. |
Volunteers included dental and dental hygiene students, faculty, residents and staff at UNMC, members of the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition, volunteers from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, dental hygiene faculty and students from Central Community College in Hastings and dental assisting students from Southeast Community College.
Gwen Hlava, one of the event organizers and chairwoman of the UNMC College of Dentistry Dental Hygiene department, was pleased with how smoothly the day went. “The amount of work we did here is absolutely incredible,” Hlava said. “It was a beehive of activity. I felt like everyone in the state was here today.”
 |
Left to right: Kendrick and Corbin Smith talk with Tigger (dental hygiene student, Kim Swanson), about how to properly brush their teeth. |
The biannual event is an opportunity for the college to help underserved Nebraskans, as well as provide an opportunity for dental and dental hygiene students to gain more clinical experience. Children from low income, uninsured and homeless families received cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants, cavity fillings, crowns, tooth extractions, education and emergency care as needed.
In order to attend the event, children were pre-screened in their communities by volunteers. In Fremont, 10 dentists and dental hygienists, who are UNMC College of Dentistry alumni, donated their time to provide oral health screenings. Bob Roesch, D.D.S., of Fremont, said he and others worked with local schools, Head Start officials and others to provide the much-needed community service. “We’re glad to do it,” Dr. Roesch said. “It definitely benefits our community and those who really are in need.”
 |
UNMC dental hygiene students sort through dental records at the end of the day. |
Financial sponsors of Children’s Dental Day are: Ameritas Group Dental, Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Nebraska Dental Association. Donors of dental and other supplies are DENTSPLY, Oral B, Proctor and Gamble (Crest), Patterson Dental Supply, Inc., G.C. America, Inc., Nebraska Department of Education Headstart program, Ultradent, Sara Lee Breads and Pastries, Pepsi-Cola Products, Fairbury Brand Meats, Colby Ridge Popcorn, Hy-Vee Food Stores, Super Saver, Russ’s Supermarkets, Arrow Stage Lines and Sun-Mart Foods.