Free dental clinic for children set in Cobden

Several opportunities  are scheduled to be available this summer for children in the region to receive free preventive dental services through the Southern Illinois University Carbondale dental sealant grant program. 

One of  the clinics is scheduled in Union County. The clinic is set for July 12 at the First Baptist Church in Cobden. The church is located at 200 S. Walker St.

Each of the 14 clinics are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments are necessary, and children will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. No new patients will be accepted after 1:30 p.m. 

The clinics are for children from three to 17 years old. 

Services will include exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants performed by senior dental hygiene students. 

The exam fulfills state requirements for children who will be entering kindergarten, 2nd, 6th and 9th grades this fall. There is no fee for the dental services. 

Children who are members of the “AllKids” program are advised to bring their medical card. 

More information about the program is available by contacting Natalie Richardson, the program manager and dental hygienist in SIU Carbondale’s School of Allied Health, at 618-453-7223.