Bring your smile to free community dental day

Great Falls College Montana State University’s dental hygiene and dental assisting students host the annual No Smile Left Behind Community Dental Day and Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24.

Free dental options include cleanings and extractions for adults and cleanings for children. Extractions are performed by local volunteer dentists, and all services are free and available to members of the public in need of dental care.

“The goal of this event is to fill a need in the community for those who may not have access to dental care due to financial limitations,” said Robin Williams, director of the dental assistant program at GFC MSU, in a recent news release.

Three in seven Montanans have lost teeth to decay, and one in four kids have untreated tooth decay or urgent dental problems. The number of adults landing in the emergency room because of untreated dental problems has doubled since 2000.

In conjunction with dental care, a health fair will be hosted by United Way of Cascade County and several local healthcare providers. This health fair seeks to provide an opportunity for members of the community to check their vitals, talk with community providers and review healthy preventive care measures.

The health fair runs from 9 a.m. to noon, while dental services will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

People of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. No appointments will be made for this event, as services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, call 406-771-4412.

Reach Tribune Staff Writer Traci Rosenbaum at 791-1490. Follow her on Twitter @GFTrib_TRosenba.

THE ESSENTIALS

What: No Smile Left Behind Community Dental Day

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Where: Great Falls College MSU

Cost: Free