Higher Ed Utah

Dixie State College of Utah’s dental hygiene program is teaming up with 21 St. George area dentists to volunteer their time and talents in an effort to “Give a Kid a Smile” with a special free dental clinic for Washington County children. The clinic will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Dr. Mervyn and Sue Cox Dental Hygiene Clinic, located in the DSC Russell C. Taylor Health Science Center at 1526 E. Foremaster Drive.

The event is part of the American Dental Association’s “Give a Kid a Smile Day,” the annual children’s oral health access initiative which mobilizes dental practitioners throughout Utah and across the country to provide free dental screening and treatment to pre-selected, underserved children.

According to DSC program coordinator Veronica Fely, 47 DSC dental hygiene students, along with faculty and staff members, anticipate they will provide over 200 Washington County uninsured and low income children with free dental care, including cleanings, x-rays, tooth extraction, fillings and other dental services, along with oral hygiene tips for both the child and parents.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to get out in the community and provide these much needed services to the children of Washington County,” Fely said. “This event was a great success last year and we anticipate providing this service to even more children this time around.”

This is the second year DSC’s dental hygiene program has participated in the ADA’s “Give a Kid a Smile Day” initiative. Last year, Dixie students helped provide free dental services to 73 children.

In addition to the DSC dental clinic, three other free dental clinics will take place that day at Weber State University, Salt Lake Community College and the Utah College of Dental Hygiene

The U.S. Surgeon General reports oral decay as a silent health epidemic affecting children from underserved families nationwide. Working in partnership with the American Dental Association and local area dentists, Utah’s “Give a Kid a Smile Day” partners with Henry Schein Dental, the exclusive professional products sponsor, and other local businesses to help mobilize the provision of free dental services to needy children. The media is invited to document area children learning about dental care and receive free screenings and treatment. Dental experts will also be available to discuss the importance of oral healthcare, the Utah Give Kids a Smile organization, and state dental needs.

For more information or to volunteer, please call Veronica Fely at 435-879-4905 or visit “www.utahgivekidsasmile.com.”