Concorde Staff
Over 300 kids nationwide are smiling brighter, thanks to Concorde Career College’s National Children’s Dental Health Month initiative. Concorde hosted six events in California, Florida, and Texas, where kids aged 4-17 received no-cost dental services, including cleanings, x-rays, sealants and nutritional counseling. Additionally, campuses in Colorado and Missouri participated in their local Give Kids a Smile events.
“This initiative is deeply meaningful for the Concorde community. Starting preventive dental care early helps set children up for healthy lives. As we’re seeing in healthcare, oral health impacts overall health—yet so many families face barriers with access to dental care. That’s why our students and faculty stepped up to offer no-cost services and raise awareness about this important health issue,” said Kevin Prehn, president of Concorde Career Colleges.
Prehn added: “My heartfelt thanks to Heartland Dental, PDS Health, and Liberty Dental Plan who helped make the events possible through their sponsorships.”
All services were provided by Concorde’s dental hygiene students under the direct supervision of faculty and licensed dental professionals.
Families brought children from the surrounding communities of participating Concorde campuses, and area community organizations and schools helped promote the events. At some campuses, parents who brought their children also received dental cleanings.
“Parents of small children often don’t make time for themselves to go to the dentist—even more so if they face challenges with access to care. So, when they asked if they could be seen along with their kids, our students didn’t want to turn them away. I can’t put into words how happy those parents were to receive care—and it made our day to help them,” said Charmaine Idlett, dental hygiene program director, Concorde-Tampa.
Several media outlets in California, Florida and Texas provided news coverage of the initiative. Feature stories include:
- Children receive dental care for free in Tampa on Monday
- Kids get free dental cleanings for National Children’s Health Month (San Antonio)
- Free Dental Care Offered for Ages 4-17 Monday in Mountain View
Concorde’s commitment to providing community access to dental care goes beyond National Children’s Dental Health Month. At the 14 campuses that offer dental hygiene programs, Concorde operates Dental Hygiene Clinics, which are open to the public throughout the year. Clinic hours vary by location. For more information, visit: concorde.edu/about-us/services.
