PBSC hosts first free community dental event in new state-of-the-art clinic

Smiles were brighter across Palm Beach County as Palm Beach State College offered its first free community preventive dental service on March 17 inside the College’s brand-new Dental and Health Innovation Building on the Loxahatchee Groves campus. 

The Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) event, hosted by PBSC’s Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs, marked the inaugural community outreach in the new state-of-the-art dental clinic. The facility features advanced technology and modern operatories designed to give students real-world training while serving the public.

During the event, local children received free dental cleanings, X-rays (as needed), fluoride treatments, sealants and oral health education—all performed by students enrolled in PBSC’s Dental Hygiene Associate in Science degree program under the supervision of licensed clinical faculty. 

“Providing preventive care to our neighbors is an essential part of our mission,” said Judy McCauley, director of PBSC’s Dental Hygiene program. “By opening our clinic to the public, we’re creating opportunities for our students to apply their skills in a real-world setting while improving the overall oral health of our community.” 

Tooth decay, or dental caries, remains the most common chronic disease among children and adolescents. Left untreated, it can lead to pain, infection, and difficulties with eating, speaking and learning. According to Floridians for Dental Access, Florida ranks 37th out of 50 states in the percentage of children receiving a dental visit annually, and one in four Florida third graders have untreated cavities — making the state among the worst nationally for this measure. 

The Give Kids a Smile program, launched nationally in 2003, connects volunteer dentists and dental teams to provide free oral health education, screenings and treatment to underserved children. Annually, more than 6,500 dentists and 30,000 volunteers participate in local events that benefit over 300,000 children. To date, more than 9.5 million children nationwide have received free care through GKAS. 

“This is exactly what our new clinic was built for,” McCauley added. “We’re preparing the next generation of dental professionals while helping our community smile a little brighter.” 

For photos from the event, please view the Flickr album.