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OREM -- Nearly 145 dentists, hygienists and students from BYU gave up their Saturday to care for 200 children's teeth.
Give Kids a Smile is a program that helps families without dental insurance get the care they need, raising thousands of dollars for the community events, and volunteers donate more than $116,000 in free dental care. They can do nearly every procedure at the event's setup in the Utah college of Dental Hygiene campus in Orem. They filled cavities, pulled teeth and performed root canals.
"There are dentists who will fly to Central America or fly to Africa and provide dental services, but there is a huge need in the community here," said Dr. Darren Chamberlin, DDS, a volunteer for Give Kids a Smile.
Children like seven-year-old Luke Graver got their teeth cleaned. Luke, who appeared calm as he took his spot in the chair, had x-rays performed and got his teeth cleaned.
"We've got a little bit more time as a big family than we do money, so this is a really great option," said Luke's mother, Jamey Graver.
