Northwest Technical College will offer free dental screenings for children ages 1-18 on Feb. 1 from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. as part of the American Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile program.
NTC has been participating in the Give Kids a Smile program for more than 15 years and screenings will be provided by dentists in collaboration with NTC dental assisting students. During the event, NTC typically provides over $4,000 worth of free care.
Julie Dokken, director of NTC’s dental assisting program, said the college’s Give Kids a Smile program is well-supported by the region’s dentists and their staffs, who volunteer their time to participate, and provide a way for NTC dental assisting graduates to return to campus. The program also offers current students a chance to earn real-life experience.
“Give Kids a Smile is an opportunity for any child to be seen by a dentist and have basic preventive and minor restorative work done at no expense to the family,” Dokken said. “It is great for the dental assisting students to use the skills they have learned to provide a community service.”
Service is available by appointment only. Families wishing to participate in the program are invited to call (218) 556-3666 and ask for Angie to schedule an appointment.
Give Kids a Smile
Through the American Dental Association Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile program, launched nationally by the ADA in 2003, more than 5.5 million underserved children have received free oral health services. In 2017, these free services were provided by more than 30,000 dental team members, 8,000 of whom are dentists. The program is made possible by the continued support of national sponsors Henry Schein, Colgate and KaVo Kerr.
Each year, Give Kids A Smile is celebrated nationally on the first Friday in February, and events take place throughout the year such as back-to-school events in August. Give Kids a Smile events are intended as touch points for children who do not receive dental care. The ultimate goal is to establish a dental home for these children and continuity of care, according to the ADA Foundation website.
Contact
- To schedule appointments for Feb. 1, contact Angie at (218) 556-3666
- Julie Dokken, dental assisting faculty, Northwest Technical College; (218) 333-6657, julie.dokken@bemidjistate.edu
Links
- American Dental Association: “Get Ready for Give Kids a Smile 2018”
- NTC dental assisting program
- Minnesota Dental Foundation
- Give Kids a Smile
Northwest Technical College, located in northern Minnesota’s lake district, has prepared students for fulfilling careers in high-demand fields for more than 50 years. The college’s accessible, affordable, hands-on programs also help the region’s employers meet their ever-growing need for a highly skilled workforce. NTC serves more than 1,000 students with an excellent education, an open-enrollment policy and affordable tuition. Students may pursue nearly 40 degree, diploma and certificate programs in six distinct career paths. Classes are offered on campus, online, or as a combination of both. NTC is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities. For more, visit ntcmn.edu