UAA students provide free dental care to local children

University of Alaska Anchorage dental hygiene students performed free and low-cost cleanings for children at the campus on Friday.

The event allowed student hygienists to conduct routine procedures under the direct supervision of faculty members while providing preventive services to the community.

Dr. Jay Butler, dean of the UAA College of Health, stated that the clinic serves a dual purpose by giving students practical experience and giving children a positive introduction to dental care.

“It’s really a win-win,” Butler said. “It’s an opportunity for them to be able to work with our students and have a positive experience in the dental chair also, which I think is really important for a lifetime of oral health.”

Each child received a basic cleaning that an instructor assessed in real time as the student hygienist worked. The session also included instruction on brushing and flossing techniques.

Butler said the goal is to shift the perception of dental visits from something frightening to something routine and positive for young patients.

“The kids are used to the concept of coming into the dental clinic and it being maybe not fun, but a positive experience overall,” Butler said. “It’s a great experience for our students as well.”

Butler noted that the clinic has operated for several years but that many local families are unaware of the low-cost option available on campus. He pointed to a trend in Alaska where teenagers require full mouth reconstructions involving the extraction of all natural teeth, a procedure that leads to a lifetime of dentures or artificial teeth.

“I have seen teenagers have full mouth reconstructions where all of the teeth are pulled and basically then it’s a lifetime of dentures or artificial teeth,” Butler said. “That is not something that has to happen and we really need to stop that.”

Morgan Robinson, a senior in the dental hygiene program, said students began seeing patients in the spring of 2025 and have been treating them for nearly a year. She explained that the curriculum requires students to see a specific number of pediatric patients and take a set number of x-rays on both children and adults.

Robinson said the free clinic day serves as an incentive for families who might otherwise struggle to find time away from work or school for routine appointments. She noted that she has personal dental anxiety and that the students adapt their pace to make patients comfortable.

The students offer blankets and pillows and keep patients sitting up whenever possible to reduce discomfort. Robinson said the class is eager to complete their clinical requirements while helping neighbors who may not be able to afford private dental care.