Green Pines Elementary Partners with Big Smiles to Provide Dental Care to Students

A total of 22 students at Green Pines Elementary received dental care on April 6 through the Big Smiles Dental program.

Principal Angie Schott organized the event to have Big Smiles Dental visit the school.

“Not all of our families are able to access quality dental service for their children, so bringing Big Smiles to Green Pines opened that opportunity up to some of our families,” Schott explained. “Additionally, families are incredibly busy, so it also made the service accessible for families.”

Big Smiles is a program that gives dental care to students at school. It has served children for nearly 30 years. Care is not free but is offered at no cost to schools, districts or students covered by Medicaid.

“I'm hopeful that receiving care has helped some of our students be able to better focus on learning,” Schott said. “A few were likely in some pain, and treatment from Big Smiles has relieved them of that. And having clean teeth is definitely smile-worthy! Seeing students leave proud of themselves for taking care of a need was a reminder that we really try to take care of the whole child!”

The Big Smiles Dental team consists of local, licensed dental professionals. Services include oral exams, cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, X-rays and cavity treatment, if needed.

Schott shared that dental health is important to the success of student learning.

“Dental health is incredibly important,” she said. “Poor dental health can lead to big problems, and situations that cause kids to be in pain. If you aren't comfortable, especially due to pain, learning is impossible. Our students, being so young, can't always express what is getting in their way when they struggle in the learning environment. As adults, we all know that tooth pain can be awful, and trying to do anything productive when you are experiencing it is really difficult.”

Schott said they were excited to partner with Big Smiles and have already scheduled them to come back in the fall.