Local dental professionals help prevent tooth decay

Hundreds of elementary children saw a dentist at school last week thanks to the efforts a charity, Salish Kootenai College and local dental professionals.

For two days last week workers from Sealants for Smiles, a Bozeman dental-health outreach, partnered with local volunteers to see more than 500 students, part of which were from Pablo Elementary School in Pablo and part of which attend Linderman Elementary School in Polson. 

Aimee Gustafson, an Indian Health Services dentist worked alongside doctors Jeffery Bird and Chris Clave, Travis Fisher, a dental hygienist, six SKC dental health nursing students and a group of dentist office volunteer professionals to complete the work.

Each student who participated got a dental examination and the chance to get sealants on their teeth, a process that helps prevent dental decay.

At Linderman Elementary School, students from Mr. Gunderson’s class jumped while they stood in line waiting for their turn to wear the cool sunglasses and open wide for a dentist. 

The volunteers began their efforts at Linderman early in the morning and finished near the end of school.  

Sealants for Smiles also travels to schools in St. Ignatius and Ronan during the year.