3M ESPE recently joined TeamSmile and the Minnesota Vikings to give underserved Minneapolis-area children a fun day of complimentary dental care and education.
Kids also got the chance to meet Vikings players at the event, held on October 15 at the Vikings practice field in Eden Prairie, MN. The event served 300 children from area schools, providing each of them with hundreds of dollars worth of free dental care, and was a collaboration between TeamSmile, 3M ESPE, and the Vikings.
TeamSmile, 3M ESPE, and Henry Schein provided equipment and materials to enable the dental team to capture x-rays, perform preventive care, and provide further treatment including restorations and extractions. Organizers estimated that each child received $400 to $600 worth of dental care. Staff from 3M ESPE and TeamSmile also helped lead the educational component of the event, which taught children the importance of good oral hygiene at home.
Among the Vikings players in attendance were defensive end Jared Allen, running back Joe Banyard, linebacker Desmond Bishop, fullback Jerome Felton, cornerback Xavier Rhodes, safety Jamarca Sanford, and offensive tackle J'Marcus Webb. Two team cheerleaders, mascot Viktor the Viking, and other team personnel were on hand as well to be part of the day. Children in attendance were able to participate in a meet-and-greet with the Vikings, then move on to dental care, which was provided by more than 100 volunteer dental professionals.
