Greenville College Students Give Kids a Smile

Published: April 13, 2021

You don't have to travel thousands of miles to help others, and Greenville College pre-med and pre-dental students learned this first hand. In February, Arthur Kerle, Associate Professor of Biology, took three students to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Dentistry to participate in the sixth annual Give Kids a Smile program.

Give Kids a Smile brings caring volunteers and organizations together for the purpose of delivering quality services to children. The organization is committed to the underserved and strives to mentor organizations and future volunteers to help kids smile. Each year, dental offices and schools across the country open their doors to treat underprivileged kids. This year, GC students, along with 17 dentists from the area, donated their time and talents to serve 105 kids between the ages of 3-15.

Over $45,000 worth of free dentistry was done of the course of the day through fillings, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, extractions, stainless steel crowns, and other types of pediatric dentistry. GC students escorted the patients to their treatment and lent helping hands wherever needed throughout the day.

"It was a wonderful day and I plan to take our students there again next year," said Kerle. "I think it opened their eyes to another way to help others without traveling thousands of miles away."

For more information contact media@greenville.edu.