Dr. Bridget Ko and patient Gustavo Rocha, of Haverhill, with NECC student Rosa Livingston (back).

On Friday, Feb. 3, Northern Essex Community College dental assisting students helped practitioners from the Merrimack Valley District Dental Society provide local children with free dental exams and fluoride treatments at the college’s Lawrence campus.

The event served as just one example of Northern Essex’s participation in the ADA Foundation‘s “Give Kids a Smile” volunteer initiative. It was organized on behalf of the MVDDS by Dr. Michael Chow, a pediatric dentist with practices in Methuen and Nashua, N.H.

Give Kids A Smile is an annual volunteer program that provides free educational, preventive and restorative services to children from low-income families. Last year, they worked together to provide care to more than 300,000 kids. For more information, visit the official website.

From left to right: Dr. Bridget Ko, NECC dental assisting students Nichole Butzien, Nick Eugenio, Elda Salazar, Chantelle Garcia, Jorge Urena, Karina Peralta, Rosa Livingston, Payton Smith, Dr. Denise Chow and NECC student Devin Groark. Seated: NECC faculty: Donna Marquis, Kerin Hamidiani, Dental Assisting Program.

NECC offers a certificate in dental assisting that provides students with the knowledge and practical skills required to work as an entry-level dental assistant. Throughout the program, they participate in classroom study, laboratory practice and clinical experience that prepares them to take the Certification for Dental Assistants examination sponsored by the Dental Assisting National Board.