Sioux Center Dental will host its third annual Give Kids a Smile event on Thursday, February 19th, providing free dental care to children identified as having urgent dental needs through school-based screenings.
The one-day clinic will offer oral exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, fillings, and extractions at no cost to families. Participation is limited to children who were screened in advance through the state-funded i-Smile™ program and whose parents completed required permission forms.
Over the past two years, Sioux Center Dental has served 60 underprivileged children, donating just under $50,000 in free dental services. Screenings conducted within the Sioux Center Community School District identified roughly 60 students with active dental infections or dental pain out of approximately 150 students screened.
Dr. Trevor Kuiper says many of the children identified are struggling to focus at school because of untreated dental pain.
Because the event is limited to one day, the clinic typically treats 20 to 30 children, prioritizing those with the most urgent needs. Kuiper says untreated dental disease often worsens quickly if left unaddressed.
The event is coordinated in partnership with the Sioux Center Community School District, the local i-Smile coordinator, and community volunteers. Transportation, treatment, and follow-up coordination are provided at no cost.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in four children ages 2 to 11 has untreated cavities, with the most severe cases concentrated among low-income families.
Listen to our full interview with Dr. Kuiper right here. Find out more about “Give Kids a Smile” by visiting siouxcenterdental.com
