News

Over 350 volunteers found themselves at the Titan Army National Guard Readiness Center south of Yutan on August 25. They weren’t there for weapons training or any sort of military preparation.

Instead, they had arrived from dental schools and practices across the state to give back to veterans as part of Nebraska Veterans Mission of Mercy, a dental service event held near Yutan since 2023.

“VetMOM provides an opportunity for students to serve underserved veterans and their spouses,” said Amanda Skuban, an instructor in the SCC dental assisting program. “As dental professionals and future dental assisting professionals, this is a meaningful way to give back to individuals who have given so much to our communities and our country.”

Skuban volunteered at the event along with four faculty and 11 students from SCC. They spent the day doing everything you would see in a typical dentist office. Students helped check patients in, escorted them to their areas, and provided chairside assistance like coronal polishing and sterilization of equipment.

“It was very heartwarming,” said Nyakhan Buak, who is in her third term as a dental assisting student. “I was nervous at first, but as soon as a I stepped in, everyone was so welcoming.”

Buak said that she plans to continue helping at the event after she graduates from SCC. She was struck by how well the dental students at all levels worked together.

“Working with so many students isn’t as bad as it sounds,” Buak said. “They’re not used to having assistants. If you grab them something, they really appreciate it. It just works.”

Over 450 veterans and their spouses received care from dentists and dental students across the state at the event. Patients received services like cleanings and fillings, as well as procedures like extractions, root canals and dentures at the event.

Due to gaps in insurance coverage, administrative delays, or distances to dental offices, some of the patients wait for months or even years to have access to dental care.

“I’ve never really volunteered outside of my church, so it was interesting to give back to the community on that large scale,” said Aliyah Mendoza, also a third term dental assisting student. “It felt good to give them that help, knowing it’s going to help their overall health.”

Working in an environment like this only deepened Mendoza’s determination to be a dental assistant. While in school, they mainly learn about chairside procedure in helping a dentist. While at VetMOM, she was able to see all the ways she could help patients away from the chairs and stainless steel tools.

Skuban says that the impact on both the patients and the students is real, and it highlights the importance of learning outside of the classroom and into the community. As long as VetMOM is held each year, she says that SCC students will be there.

“You know you’re helping someone when you’re chairside,” Skuban said. “When you’re helping someone who can’t afford the service or doesn’t have access to it, it’s a whole different thing. It’s good for you to see.”

Damon Bennett
Activities Information Director
402-437-2077
dbennett@southeast.edu