MTI students brighten smiles

Students in Manatee Technical Institute’s dental programs fine-tuned their skills and brightened smiles April 28 as they worked on the teeth of children in schools throughout Manatee County.

The program, which is a partnership between Manatee County Schools and the MTI Dental Assisting program, started last year when dental assisting students saw about 20 children from McNeal Elementary School.

This year, 35 children, representing schools such as Braden River High School and Braden River, McNeal, Kinnan and Myakka elementary schools, were scheduled for appointments for X-rays, a teeth cleaning and fluoride treatments.

“We’re trying to extend it out,” said Cheryl Stuart, a nurse at Braden River and McNeal elementary schools and one of the founders of the program.

The program is designed for children whose families otherwise could not afford dental care.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].