On Saturday, February 8 Dixie State University’s Dental Hygiene Clinic hosted the annual southern Utah Give Kids a Smile event.
This nationwide event enables children who lack access to oral health care to receive much needed dental and dental hygiene services. A community of oral health professionals came together to do what they love – help others! This year there were 101 volunteers, including 43 DSU dental hygiene students, 6 DSU dental hygiene faculty, 13 DSU pre-dental students, 4 dental students and 2 dentists from the University of Utah, 8 Registered Dental Hygienists (all DSU alumni), 6 dentists and 7 dental assistants from Washington County, and 3 Henry Schein employees to serve. Additionally, 10 Spanish major students, 1 Spanish Department faculty member and the Dean of the College of Health Sciences served as interpreters and helped provide the appropriate cultural care.
In total, 59 children were treated with over $29,000 in donated services provided; an average of $493 worth of care per patient. Services included prophylaxis, fluoride, sealants, extractions, and fillings. In addition to services provided at the event, 29 children with extensive treatment plans received vouchers to complete therapy free of charge by community dentists totaling a further $32,800 worth of care. However, these numbers only tell half of the story.
The impact upon these children’s lives was immeasurably evident by the smiles, hugs, high-fives and tearful thank-yous from grateful children and parents. Examples of care included, a parent was taught the importance of tooth brushing for the very first time. A child who had been in pain for 6 months finally received care. Another child, with 20 decayed teeth will get treatment and relief and a teenager with severe misaligned teeth will receive orthodontics donated by a community orthodontist. The best part? Every patient and their family were treated with kindness and respect while receiving much needed oral health care. Although volunteers left the event exhausted all were happy for having been a part of Give Kids a Smile.
The DSU Dental Hygiene Department would like to offer sincere thanks to the following businesses who very kindly donated dental supplies and food for the volunteers: Colgate, Henry Schein Dental, Domino’s, Harmon’s, Hungry Howie’s, Jimmy John’s, Olive Garden, Papa Johns and Pizza Hut.