By Carrie Moore
The Dakota Smiles Mobile Dental program will be in Hill City Nov. 10-14, thanks to numerous local sponsors. The program, which includes two trucks are fully-equipped with dental offices on wheels, has been in Hill City before, where it saw a large volume of children.
“Your child’s teeth are important,” organizers said. “Dental disease (cavities) can threaten a child’s health, well being and achievement. Children with oral health problems can have difficulty eating and sleeping and paying attention in school.”
By participating in the Dakota Smiles program, children can receive quality oral health services, including cleanings, preventative services, fillings and oral health education. The program is unable to do root canals, orthodontics or whitening of teeth. Parents need to bring their child’s immunization records.
The staff and volunteers of the Dakota Smiles program will treat children ages 0-21 who do not have a dental home (children who have not seen a dentist for two years or live more than 85 miles from a dentist). If families participated last year, they are still eligible this year and no child will be turned away for inability to pay.
Sponsors of the Dakota Smiles program are First Interstate Bank and First Interstate BancSystem Foundation, Tin City Masonic Lodge 112 of Hill City and the Boys & Girls Club of the Black Hills.
For more information or to pick up a registration form, contact Marian at (605) 574-2010.