EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Over 100 elementary students in El Paso were given free dental services through Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinics’ 4th annual “Give Kids a Smile” event.
The “Give Kids a Smile” event took place on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic, with roughly 120 students from Tinajero PK-8, Zavala Elementary, and Cooley Elementary, according to a news release by Texas Tech Health.
The El Paso Dental Society sponsored the event and cobranded with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation.
According to Texas Tech, students with the Hunt School of Dental Medicine, faculty and volunteers worked to provide children with basic dental services and interactive educational activities such as “Revealing the Sugar Bugs,” “How to Brush Properly,” and “Making Healthy Food Choices.”
“We’ve been doing this since we started the school, so we’ve had many of the same students come back, and we’re excited about it,” Andrew Olivas, a fourth-year dental student who will graduate this May as part of the Hunt School of Dental Medicine’s inaugural class, said. “A lot of them don’t have access to dental care.”
This will be the second time 10-year-old Zoe Marin-Dill, a third grader from Tinajero PK-8, has attended the “Give Kids a Smile” event.
“I was a little anxious my first time because I didn’t know what to expect,” she said.
“I’d tell them don’t be scared—it’s fun,” she added. “I’ve learned to brush my teeth twice a day for two minutes and not to eat too much candy because it can cause cavities.”
The “Give Kids A Smile” program was launched in 2003 to provide underserved children with free oral health care.
Around 6,500 dentists and 30,000 dental team members have provided education, screening, and preventive and restorative treatments to over 300,000 children, according to Texas Tech.
“Ensuring children have access to quality dental care and education is essential to their overall health and well-being. The Paso del Norte Health Foundation is proud to support Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic and the El Paso Dental Society in their efforts to provide preventive care and promote healthy smiles for our community’s youth. Events like ‘Give Kids a Smile’ make a lasting impact by fostering good oral health habits early in life,” Dr. Michael Kelly, vice president of Programs for the Paso del Norte Health Foundation said.
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