Grant helps promote dental hygiene for poor, rural Minnesotans

Posted at 2:30 PM on March 24, 2011 by Elizabeth Baier
Filed under: Healthcare, Southeast Minnesota

Finding a dentist can be tough, especially if you're poor and live in a rural area. And the lack of proper dental care can lead to more serious health issues down the line.

To help address the need, Minnesota State University Mankato will use a recent grant from AgStar Financial Services to offer scholarships to low-income, rural Minnesotans who can't afford dental care.

MSU recently received a $5,000 grant from AgStar to support scholarships for rural community members to maintain and improve their dental health at the university's dental clinic.

Throughout the year, MSU students in the dental hygiene program staff the dental lab, where they do basic dental cleaning, fluoride treatment, dental x-rays and other oral hygiene inspections. The dental lab is open to the public for a $40 fee.

The AgStar grant will help fund $40 scholarships for people who can't afford the fee. Officials with the university say the clinic will offer the scholarships on a first-come, first served basis.

For more information on the dental hygiene program and the dental health clinic at MSU, visit www.ahn.mnsu.edu/dental.