WILLMAR — Giving back to the community is something worth smiling about. The Carris Health Dental Clinic in Willmar and Green Lake Dental in Spicer participated in the American Dental Association's Give Kids a Smile charity event Friday.
About 1,000 dentists across the state of Minnesota participated in the event, which provides free dental care to local children in need.
The Carris Health Dental Clinic had to scale back its event significantly as a COVID-19 safety precaution.
Linda Jackson, dental director at the clinic, said that in previous years, they would typically provide care for about 60 to 80 children and this year they are seeing about 25.
When making the decision on whether the Willmar clinic should participate this year due to the pandemic, their dental care team ultimately felt it was necessary.
"Some of these children have not been to a dentist and this is their first time," Jackson said. "We felt having this event is very important to the community because there is still a lot of lack of access to dental care."
1/5: Student Dental Hygienist Nicole Blatchford shows Jorge Zelaya, 17, best practices for brushing his teeth with a mirror Friday at Carris Health Dental Clinic in Willmar during the Give Kids a Smile event that provides free dental care to children in need. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
2/5: Dental assistants Renee Johnson, left, and Michelle Rossum provide care to Iritza Alejandra Montes, 16, Friday at Carris Health Dental Clinic in Willmar during the Give Kids a Smile event. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
3/5: Dental Assistant Sara Enderle, left, and Student Dentist Abigail Askegaard provide dental care to Allan Posadas, 9, Friday at Carris Health Dental Clinic in Willmar during the Give Kids a Smile event that provides free dental care to children in need. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
4/5: Dental Student Kaitlyn Lunacek prepares to provide care for a child Friday at Carris Health Dental Clinic in Willmar during the Give Kids a Smile event that provides free dental care to children in need. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
5/5: The annual Give Kids a Smile event was held Friday at Carris Health Dental Clinic in Willmar to provide free dental care to children in need. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
