An expanded dental program looks to help St. Paul students

Dental care was among the critical health concerns ignored by students and families that opted to not attend school, or attended virtually during Operation Metro Surge.

That, according to Children’s Dental Services Executive Director Sarah Wovcha.

"So of course, folks like us who deliver on-site health services for kids weren't able to do that part of our work," says Wovcha.

An additional 1,000 St. Paul uninsured and under-resourced students are set to receive restorative dental care through expanded free school-based dental care.

"It'll be at least 1,000," she said. "We believe we have enough funding to complete treatment for every uninsured child who needs it."

Wovcha adds could be life-saving in some cases.

"Our brains are just four inches away from our teeth, and when kids get an infection, it can be systemic and deadly," she explains. "Every year, kids are dying of dental infection."

Wovcha says many children in the city missed receiving critical restorative dental care during Operation Metro Surge, the federal government's crackdown on illegal immigration. That, she says, forced many to avoid leaving their homes, missing school and important medical and dental appointments.

"Usually, there's just preventive care in schools, but we're offering a full range of restorative care," Wovcha adds. "We're going to be able to restore the oral health of those kids back to being healthy. Out of pain, able to attend school and learn."

The kickoff event is being held at American Indian Magnet School in St. Paul.