Blinn College has received a workforce training grant for its Brenham campus of nearly $1 million dollars. The state funded skills development grant applies to new and current employees at Tempur Sealy…which has a manufacturing plant in Brenham…and Igloo Products…which has a plant in Katy. Between the two employers, the grant will create 87 new jobs and upgrade 424 other positions. Blinn will provide training in 58 different courses.
Appointments are being taken for young children who need dental services. Thursday evening is Blinn College’s 11th “Give Kids A Smile” event. Local dental professionals and Blinn students will give kindergarten through fifth grade students exams, x-rays, dental cleanings, and sealants. Adults accompanying their children can receive health screenings from Blinn nursing students. Appointments and more information is available by calling 979-209-7485.
More from Blinn College about the 11th “Give Kids A Smile” event:
For the 11th consecutive year, Blinn College dental hygiene students are brightening smiles across the Brazos Valley.
Students and dental professionals will volunteer their time and expertise from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, April 11, to provide free dental exams, x-rays, dental cleanings, sealants, and oral health education for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Hosted at Blinn’s Post Office Campus at 301 Post Office Street in Bryan, the Give Kids a Smile event is an initiative of the American Dental Association and provides free dental services to local children without access to regular dental care.
Blinn Associate Degree Nursing and Vocational Nursing students will be on hand to offer blood pressure, cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C, and glucose checks for adults, and Blinn’s Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science programs will provide ambulance and fire truck tours.
Parents and guardians can schedule appointments for their children by calling 979-209-7485. Spanish-speaking personnel can assist with scheduling and will be available the day of the event. Registration is limited and reserved for children who do not typically receive regular dental care.
Last year, 29 Blinn Dental Hygiene students teamed with approximately 30 local dentists, hygienists, assistants, officer managers, and Blinn faculty to provide free dental services to almost 100 children at the 10th annual Give Kids a Smile event.
“Give Kids a Smile helps so many people in this community,” said Dana Wood, Dental Hygiene Instructor. “Participants are given quality preventative care, and are connected with local dentists for further treatment. This is not only a wonderful resource for people who do not have access to proper dental care, but gives our students the opportunity to serve their
community.”
The Blinn Dental Hygiene Program provided approximately $25,000 in services during this year’s event, which included preventative care, sponsorships, and donated supplies from local dentists and businesses. Since the inaugural program in 2008, Give Kids a Smile has provided almost $200,000 in preventative care.
The Brazos Valley Dental Society, Brazos Valley Dental Hygiene Society, the Bryan and College Station school districts, and local dental professionals have been instrumental in making the event a success. Several local dentists volunteer at the event and offer restorative treatments at no cost to the family.
In addition to the dental services, students educate children and their parents on proper oral care, including how and when to brush their teeth and the importance of regular dental visits.