LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Kentucky oral health experts say the state has a chronic problem of poor oral health.
Sometimes it’s because it’s too expensive or hard to find a dentist.
A program in Lexington hopes to change that.
“I see her smiling on her face, I’m so happy,” Dhakal said.
Gobinda Dhakal moved to Lexington four years ago from Nepal, his wife and children just arrived two months ago and his daughter received free dental treatment on Tuesday at the ‘Give Kids a Smile’ event from the Bluegrass Community & Technical College.
It’s back this year, after a pandemic delay.
“She’s here for the first time and it’s really a family environment for me. I like it, I like their service. I am so happy to be here,” Dhakal said.
He says the children’s dental program that BCTC will be offering over the next few weeks is very helpful for his family.
The program provides children 12 and under with free dental cleanings, kindergarten screenings, dental supplies, x-rays, exams and fluoride treatments.
“We’re a community college so we serve the people in our area and so it’s our approach that we can provide our services to the community and let them know we’re here to help,” Jones said.
Program coordinator Mary Jones says dental hygiene students are responsible for working on children.
“They are the ones who are usually underserved and afraid of the dentist. I like that we can make a good first impression. That the dentist is not a scary place. It’s a great place to come and get your teeth cleaned and have a nice, bright smile,” Hadder said.
Brittany Hadder is a freshman and she once worked on someone special.
“I had my son at the clinic. It was amazing. It’s a bit difficult to keep a five-year-old still for about two hours, but we did fine. He loved her. He really wants to come back,” Hadder said.
The event will take place Monday through Friday for the next three weeks at the BCTC Cooper Campus.
Call (859) 246-6857 to schedule an appointment and put smiles on your kids’ faces.
To learn more, visit the BCTC Dental Hygiene Program page.
