Open wide, Lily

Lynsey Olsen of Willmar holds her 16-month-old daughter Lily, who is watched by her brother Kellar and sister Grace Hacker. Lily is about to have an oral screening by Dr. Jim Zenk of Montevideo on Friday at the free Give Kids A Smile! event at the Rice Regional Dental Clinic in Willmar. In its fifth year locally, 80 appointments were scheduled over three hours. Five area dentists volunteering their time were supplemented by dental assistants, hygienists, interpreters, a public health nurse and a physician assistant student from Affiliated Community Medical Centers. In addition to checkups, children received cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatments. Clinic chief Dr. Linda Jackson emphasized the importance of starting oral hygiene as early as 1 year old. The National sponsor of Give Kids a Smile! is the American Dental Association with additional support from the Minnesota Dental Association.