For the 14th consecutive year, students from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College (UNMC) of Dentistry headed west to be a part of Dental Day. Over 200 Children without dental insurance were treated in Sidney, Alliance, and Gordon.
“Dental Day was a great success once again,” Janelle Hansen of Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) said. “So many kids got the necessary care Dental Day provides, plus the students gained great clinical experience.” Hansen is one of the coordinators behind the annual event.
Over 60 students studying dentistry and dental hygiene and faculty at UNMC, participated in the Panhandle-wide event. Children were seen at Gordon Memorial Hospital; Box Butte General Hospital; Horizon West Dental (Dr. Collis) in Alliance; Summit Dental Clinic (Dr. Neal) and Life Smiles in Sidney (Dr. Dornbier).
Recruiting appropriate kids and scheduling pre-screening appointments are essential to the outcome of this event. School nurses and dental office staff play a key role in completing these processes. Other dentists participating in the pre-screenings include: Dr. Christensen, Dr. Wilcox, Dr. Maxwell, and Dr. Giles, Alliance; Dr. Jacoby, Hemingford; Dr. Ben Iske, Bridgeport; and Dr. Jensen, Oshkosh.
“Preparing for Dental Day involves many logistics,” Hansen said. “The extensive planning process includes coordination with many players including the participating dentists, Gordon Memorial Hospital, Box Butte General Hospital, UNMC, and PPHD to result in such a large number of kids receiving dental care. We are glad to be a part of a great ongoing program like Dental Day.”
A big thank you to the sponsors and those who contributed to making the day a success.
For more information on the program, visit www.pphd.org or contact Hansen at 308-487-3600 Ext. 105. Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety and quality of life for all who live, learn, work and play in the Panhandle. Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community.