Posted: 8/31/04
Dental program helping young people in need
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
A program that helps families who canít afford dental work for their children took a new twist during the past two weeks.
The grant-based program, which is run through the Houston County Department of Public Health, normally has clinics on Saturdays about every six weeks for qualifying families. U of M dental students do the work, with guidance from local dentists.
But Darla Zahn, who heads the program in Houston County, heard that the University of Minnesota had some students who would like to spend two weeks this summer working in a dental clinic.
Only 15 students were available, but Zahn, with the help of Dr. Stacy Johanson from Family Dental Center in Caledonia, was able to get dental student Kristy Marven to come to Caledonia August 16-27.
Marven, who will be starting her fourth year of dental school this fall, didnít get paid for her time here. She volunteered because she wanted to see how a dental office runs and to work with an assistant.
ìItís kind of nice to see how fast you can really be when youíre working with someone else,î she said during a lunch break on August 24.
Itís more of a real world setting, Dr. Johanson added. ìYouíre more on your own.î And Johanson was just a few steps away in case she was needed.
Marven did root canals, fillings, crown preparation, and exams while in Caledonia.
Kathy Smart of Caledonia was one of the people who appreciated the new clinic. She brought in her children Trisha, 12, Christopher, 10, and Melville, seven, for dental work.
Having Marven available for consecutive visits made it easier for the Smart children to get all their dental work done in a matter of days rather than months.
It worked well for Kathy on August 24 because she had the day off from her job as office manager at Alco in Caledonia.
The program is critical to the Smart family. ìI couldnít be able to afford to take them to the dentist without it,î Kathy said that morning while Marven was working on Christopher.
Kathy heard about the program from social worker Julie Renk at the Houston County Department of Human Services.
Of course, it would work even better if her kids took care of their teeth, Kathy added with a smile, echoing sentiments that have crossed the minds of many parents.
ìI took care of mine,î Melville said when he heard that. He was waiting for a repair job from Kristy Marven.
Darla Zahn, who is an oral health specialist, said she was pleased that the program came to Caledonia, and that she appreciated the cooperation of Johanson, who even provided room and board for Marven.
Johanson likes the program because it helps people in need, and it helps educate dental students.
Marvin received her undergraduate degree in biology at UW-La Crosse.
For more information on the dental program, call Darla Zahn at 507-725-5810.
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