SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — In an effort to improve dental health among local children, Sioux Center Dental is offering a day of free dental care for students in Sioux Center. The event, scheduled for February 20th, will focus on students from Kinsey Elementary School who have been identified with dental issues following screenings.
Over 70 children in the Sioux Center School District have been flagged due to active dental infections or reported pain during the school day. Dr. Trevor Kuiper of Sioux Center Dental explained that the goal is to address the most urgent dental problems. “We want to focus on kids with the most significant issues to alleviate pain and improve their quality of life, allowing them to eat, sleep, and attend school without discomfort,” said Dr. Kuiper.
The event aligns with the American Dental Association’s National Give Kids a Smile Day and marks the second year Sioux Center Dental has hosted this initiative in Northwest Iowa. This year, Sioux Center Dental is partnering with the I-Smile Coordinator and the Sioux Center Community School District to make the event a success. Families wishing to participate must register in advance.
Dr. Kuiper emphasized the importance of preventative care, encouraging parents to ensure their children brush and floss regularly and visit the dentist twice a year. “Parents play a vital role in fostering good oral health habits early on, starting as soon as that first tooth appears,” he said. “Taking children to the dentist from an early age is the best way to prevent dental problems and spot any issues before they escalate.”
In addition to the free care, Dr. Kuiper is also addressing the region’s dental care needs, as Promise Community Health Center, the only local clinic that accepts Medicaid, is currently facing a backlog of patients. With recent changes in their dental team, Dr. Kuiper and his team are working to ease the strain on families in Sioux Center by providing these free services.
In 2024, Sioux Center Dental served 30 children, providing over $23,000 in dental treatments, and they are determined to continue offering this vital service. The clinic hopes to keep the Give Kids a Smile event a tradition in Northwest Iowa for years to come.
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