NIC Dental Hygiene Clinic Offers Free Sealants to Public March 14

North Idaho College's Dental Hygiene Program opened its clinic doors to the public Saturday, March 14, offering free sealants, cleanings, oral exams, fluoride treatments, oral health instruction, and nutritional counseling from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the NIC Dental Hygiene Clinic in the Winton Building on the Coeur d'Alene campus.

The walk-in event operated on a first-come, first-served basis, with each visit lasting roughly an hour. Because the clinic is student-operated, NIC noted that procedure times can run slightly longer than at a private practice, though the sealant application itself is quick and painless. Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings bonded to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to reduce the risk of decay.

The clinic ran in partnership with Give Kids a Smile, with additional support from volunteers at Kaniksu Community Health and Panhandle Health District. All ages were welcome at no cost.

Questions about the clinic or future sessions can be directed to dhclinicnic@nic.edu or 208-929-4002. NIC runs similar free sealant clinics periodically; a 2024 news release on the college's website documented an earlier version of the event held March 9 from 9 a.m. to noon in the same Winton Hall location with the same community partners.