COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Blinn College’s Dental Hygiene Program welcomed children and families on Thursday for its 16th annual “Give Kids a Smile” event, offering free dental care to young patients in need.
As part of its community dentistry course, the program provides free dental services such as cleanings, x-rays, sealants, and fluoride treatments for preschool and elementary-aged children.
This year’s event featured an outer space theme, aimed at giving each child “a smile that’s out of this world.”
Dana Wood, a faculty member with the Blinn Dental Hygiene Program and one of the original organizers, said the event began in 2008 when students noticed many local children lacked access to preventive dental care.
“The students came to us and said, ‘What if we had a day where we did their cleanings, x-rays, and didn’t charge anything?’ That was 16 years ago, and it’s grown into what it is today,” Wood explained.
Since its launch, the program has provided over $260,000 in free dental services to the community.
Making an Impact on Young Smiles
Kysan Buckner, current head chair of this year’s event, said the goal is not only to treat children but to help them build a positive view of dental care.
“It’s a lot of fun, but more importantly, it’s about providing care for kids who don’t always have access to a dentist,” Buckner said. “We want to create a good experience for them so they’re not afraid of going to the dentist in the future.”
In addition to Blinn students, the event draws support from program graduates, the Brazos Valley Dental Hygiene Society, local dentists, and other volunteer dental professionals.
“It’s so rewarding, especially when you see the kids come in a little nervous and leave with big smiles. It’s heartwarming,” Buckner added.
Community Effort and Fun Atmosphere
The entire event is organized and executed by Blinn’s dental hygiene students, who take on everything from planning logistics to patient care. Many recent graduates return to help, showing their continued support for the initiative.
To make the experience more enjoyable for children, characters like Moana and Spiderman were on-site to greet young patients, helping to ease their nerves and add a sense of fun.
