On Friday, local dentists offered free dental services to children who were not covered by medical insurance as a part of the state-wide "Give Kids A Smile" program, an initiative linked to National Children's Dental Health Month.

Major participating dentists included Drs. Grant Flenker, David Jones and James Knott at the Omni Dental Centre, and Broadway Family & Cosmetic Dentistry's Dr. Gary Smith, in addition to Dr. Robert Hurley at Tri-City Dental in Carter Lake.

Additional help was provided by dental students from the Iowa Western Community College.

"By getting the kids in and getting some treatment started on them and giving them a good experience, it may alleviate some of the fear so kids don't develop a fear of going to the dentist", said Dr. Hurley.

Under the initiative, throughout February, about 4,000 children from across Iowa, who belong to low-income families and cannot afford dental care, will be provided free services, as has been confirmed by the Iowa Dental Association.