WesternU provides free dental care to children during Give Kids A Smile

Smiles were boundless when Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Dental Medicine (CDM) students, faculty, and staff administered free dental care to more than 80 children during the third annual Give Kids A Smile one-day volunteer initiative at The Dental Center on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013.

Third-year CDM student Nissa Ophaso thought getting clinical experience with children was a great experience, especially when she saw her youngest patient of the day, two-year-old Miranda Huff-Maldonado of Ontario. The two exchanged big smiles, high-fives and knuckle-bumps throughout the exam.

“”I was a little nervous but Give Kids A Smile was a lot of fun,”” Ophaso said. “”I think that not only do students get experience treating kids and the underserved population, but I think they get a lot of excitement and fun out of this.””

CDM faculty and students provided children with free dental exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants.

The Dental Center at WesternU and the Tri-County Dental Society teamed up to provide services to children in the community.