For 12th straight year, Dental Day on tap for June

For the 12th consecutive year, students from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry will head west to be a part of “Dental Day” on June 5 and 6. This is an opportunity for children to receive dental care at no cost.

“A great number of kids receive dental care during Dental Day,” said Janelle Hansen, PPHD Health educator. “It requires extensive planning and coordination with school nurses, hospitals, UNMC, and community volunteers. We are glad to be a part of such a great program to help ensure children in the Panhandle have their dental health needs met.”

Dental students studying dentistry and dental hygiene at UNMC, accompanied by dental residents, and faculty members, will be participating in the Panhandle-wide event. Children will be seen at Gordon Memorial Hospital; Box Butte General Hospital; CAP-WN Dental Clinic (Dr. James Hadden) in Chadron; Dr. Maxwell and Dr. Wilcox in Alliance; Summit Dental Clinic (Dr. Mike Neal) and Life Smiles in Sidney (Dr. Leasa Hlavinka).

Prescreening appointments are taking place until May 11. Dentists participating in the pre-screenings include: Dr. Jacoby, Bridgeport and Hemingford; Dr. Jensen, Oshkosh; Dr. Maxwell and Dr. Wilcox, Dr. Giles, and Dr. Christensen in Alliance; Dr. Neal in Sidney; and Dr. Hadden in Chadron.

“Preparing for Dental Day involves many logistics,” Hansen said. “The extensive planning process includes coordination with many players including the participating dentists, hospitals, UNMC, and PPHD to result in such a great number of kids receiving dental care. We are glad to be a part of a wonderful ongoing program like Dental Day.”

For more information on the program, visit www.pphd.org or contact Hansen at (308) 487-3600, ext. 105.