Fourteen dental assisting students from American Career College-Ontario braved the cold one early Saturday morning in January to help out the north Riverside community.
Students arrived at River Heights Intermediate School by 6 a.m. to help prepare for the Eastvale Free Dental and Vision Screening Day on Jan. 28. The community service was open to anyone in need of dental work, vision help or health insurance registration.
“The students had a great time,” ACC-Ontario DA Program Directory Lydia Saenz said. “They were invited to assist students from the USC School of Dentistry. It’s a great opportunity for our students to get hands-on exposure and to show future dentists their knowledge and skills.”
The dental and vision screening event was held by Ayuda International Inc. and Kids Vision For Life with support and help from the Corona-Norco Unified School District, Corona/Norco/Eastvale community leaders, healthcare professionals and volunteers from all over Southern California. All consultations and services were provided by dentistry and optometry healthcare professionals at no cost.
“Students helped place fluoride on the client’s teeth after seeing the dentist or hygienist. But we were also on-hand for extractions, root canals, fillings, cleaning and fluoride,” Saenz said.
The ACC-Ontario dental assisting program volunteers about four times a year, and this was the program’s fourth visit to the River Heights clinic.
"We also do the Corona High School health event, which will be held in March," Saenz said. "We hope to see the community there."
