Yesterday, Concorde Career College’s San Antonio campus turned into a pop-up pediatric dental hub, offering free cleanings, X‑rays, sealants and oral‑health instruction to local kids while dental‑hygiene students got supervised, hands-on clinical experience. The one-day clinic, part of National Children’s Dental Health Month, drew families from across the city looking for preventive care at no cost.
Making San Antonio Smile and sign-ups
The "Making San Antonio Smile" clinic ran on Monday with a full slate of preventive services under faculty supervision, including X‑rays, fluoride applications and sealants, according to Concorde Career Colleges. Demand was strong. Registration filled quickly, and the campus’s Eventbrite posting flagged the session as sold out while noting that same‑day slots and additional pediatric appointments would be available through the end of February by calling the clinic. Families without appointments were directed to call 210‑428‑2099 to check on openings.
Students, staff and the local need
Inside the clinic, the pace was brisk. Students and staff described the day as hectic but rewarding. "It’s been a little chaotic, but it’s been worth it, like the smile on the kids’ faces," student Casey Thompson told KSAT. Program director Caroline Bunce pointed to the scale of the problem they are trying to tackle, telling KSAT that "San Antonio currently has 57% of children that have (tooth) decay, and 23% of those cavities are left untreated," a gap the free clinic set out to address through screenings, cleanings and basic education on oral health.
Why these clinics matter
The stakes go beyond a single day in the dental chair. Public‑health data show that more than 34 million school hours are lost every year because of unplanned dental treatment, according to the CDC. Concorde notes that its campus clinics also provide low‑cost care throughout the year, so the Monday event is framed as both a short‑term boost for families and a training ground for future hygienists, according to Concorde.
