Fundraiser Brings Smiles To The Community
by Brandi Segura

On March 7, UNLV’s School of Dental Medicine hosted the “Miles for Better Smiles” 5K run and 1 mile walk charity event at Floyd Lamb Park. This event raised funds to help cover some of the costs for people who cannot afford dental care.

“The dental school is one of the principal providers of dental treatment to underserved populations in the Las Vegas valley,” says Jared Dye, dental student and one of the event organizers. “It was a fun event. We’re excited to see the money have a positive effect on the lives of some of our patients.”

This was the first year that the school hosted the event. There were about 250 people who attended, including 50 students and more than a dozen faculty members. Students and faculty plan to make “Miles for Better Smiles” an annual event.

“What impressed me most was that it was a completely student initiated and run event,” says Dr. Hurlbut, assistant professor of clinical sciences. “We see a lot of patients who have hopeless teeth, get them extracted and then have no resources to replace them. Jared and other students set forth to try something to remedy that situation. I was amazed at how many people attended who were not students, faculty, or staff at the dental school.”

The School of Dental Medicine has been providing low-cost dental care to the community since 2002; it also participates in clinics that benefit children and veterans in need.