Parents, kids and teens received a warm welcome at North Idaho College Wednesday morning as the North Idaho College Dental Hygiene Clinic provided free dental hygiene services to children up to 15 years old from 8 a.m. to noon.

This was NIC’s second free kids clinic since partnering with the Center for New Directions last year to provide dental services, including teeth cleanings, X-rays, and exams, to underserved communities.

“It’s just an awesome opportunity to help families in need that can’t otherwise receive the care that they deserve,” said Dental Hygiene Program Director Laughlin Drake. “Everyone deserves oral health care.”

The NIC Dental Hygiene Clinic provides free services thanks to an NIC Foundation grant awarded to the Center for New Directions. This program assists single parents and displaced homemakers. The grant-funded services specifically support the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population.

Fifteen dental hygiene students treated the kids, with each student seeing one to two patients. Clinic Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene Angela Brogna said these appointments last longer than traditional dentist appointments because of the educational setting, but the results are the same. 

The students have already been working hands-on with patients for a year and a half and are in their final semester of training.

“This is the moment where we step back as clinical instructors and just watch and guide them,” Brogna said. “It’s a really cool thing for us to see their growth this semester.”

Brogna said the NIC Dental Hygiene Clinic tries to host one free clinic event per semester, including an event to serve veterans in November. 

During the year, the clinic provides dental hygiene services at a discounted price. For an adult, a standard cleaning service, including fluoride and an exam, costs $35.

“I like how the students give back to the community,” Brogna said. “To see that there is a need in the community and see the students feel good about the service they’re providing for them, to me, that’s beautiful.”

For more information or to check appointment availability, call 208-929-4002 or email [email protected].

    Dental hygiene student Lily Abell treats patient Nathan.
  

    Clinic Coordinator Angela Brogna, Clinical Instructor Sasha Mickelson, and Program Director Laughlin Drake working at the NIC Dental Hygiene Clinic Wed. morning.