The turnout was better than expected.

Ninety-five children from across southeast Michigan traveled with their parents or a relative to the U-M School of Dentistry to receive free oral health care February 3 during the American Dental Association's annual Give Kids a Smile program. Students and clinical faculty provided cleanings, simple fillings, x-rays, and sealants.

Although a student dentist didn't see the first child until ten o'clock, parents began arriving with their children more than an hour before the program began.

Assisting the 70 dental students and undergrad volunteers were six faculty members, six pediatric residents, and five staff from the Office of Patient Services who worked at the information desk, dispensing, and central sterilization.

The dental students enjoyed the opportunity to serve the community. Their enthusiasm was obvious.

The connection the student dentists established with their young patients impressed many, including Barbara Vaillancourt who brought her 10-year-old nephew, Timmy Custer, to the School.

"This is a great program. I'm really impressed," she said. "The students have great rapport with the kids and explained things to them in such a way that it made it fun for them to learn about what was going to happen and why."

Dental students enjoyed themselves.

"I did this last year and had so much fun that I wanted to come back again this year to participate," said second-year dental student Scott Snyder.

Amanda Bucklin, a third-year dental student, said "I really enjoying helping kids, especially the underserved and doing what I can to see to it that their oral health needs are taken care of."

Dental student Andrea Fraser, who organized the event, said, "Because of the generosity and enthusiasm of students, staff, and faculty volunteers, along with the support of the Washtenaw District Dental Society and Kerr Dental, we were able to treat 95 children. This overwhelming turnout indicates the great need for events like this and other efforts to continue improving access to oral health care."

Representatives from the U-M Health Sciences Libraries were also present, distributing information about using the Internet as a resource for health information.

Deborah Lauseng, a services coordinator, said one of the highlights was helping a fifth grader who expressed an interest in starting a health club at her school.

"She was so interested in the idea, that she came back a second time to talk to us," Lauseng said. "She even gave us her principal's name with the hope that someone will go to the school to talk about health."