Give Kids a Smile Day connects UMA dental hygiene students with community need

The University of Maine in Augusta will host Give Kids a Smile® Day on Friday, Feb. 20, at the Dental Hygiene Clinic on the Bangor campus, providing free preventive dental care to children ages 5- 19 who do not have a regular dentist.

A dental hygienist wearing a mask, gloves, and safety glasses examines a young child’s teeth. The child reclines in a dental chair wearing protective glasses while the hygienist uses a dental tool under an overhead light.

The one-day clinic is part of a national initiative led by the American Dental Association and responds to a documented access gap in children’s oral health care. In Maine, many families face barriers to routine dental visits, particularly those covered by public insurance.

During the clinic, students in Âé¶¹APP Dental Hygiene program will provide cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, and oral health education under the supervision of licensed professionals. The event combines hands-on clinical training with direct community impact, helping prepare students to meet ongoing oral health and workforce needs across Maine.

The clinic will be open from 8 to 5 p.m. at the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic, located at 201 Texas Ave. on the Bangor campus.

Appointments are required.

For more information or to schedule, contact Valerie Clotts, administrative specialist, at 207-262-7872 or umadental@maine.edu