Dental assisting students at Northwest Florida State College have stayed busy this summer giving locals free dental x-rays.
The free service is part of the program's curriculum, giving students real-life experience, while saving patients money.
"The students have a certain quota they have to get of the different types of radio grafts. They have a little bit of a chance to get them in their rotations but mostly it comes from here. So they're happy to have those people waiting in line to be seen," says instructor Lynne Weldon.
The college's Dental Assisting Program runs like a doctor’s office.
Students are in charge of booking appointments and taking x-rays.
All of the films are developed here in the school's dark room. It only takes about 5 minutes for the students to see the results.
Instructors then check the films before handing the free x-rays to patients.
Carolyn MacKinnon was happy to lend her smile to the students.
Her insurance doesn't cover dental- so she jumped at the chance to receive the free service.
She had such a good experience; she plans to visit the students again.
"It couldn't have been any nicer if I would have had it in the dentist office. Whenever my dentist tells me I need to come back for x-rays I will come back for x-rays here."
Before receiving the x-rays, patients must have a written request or prescription from a dentist stating the specific x-rays needed.
Instructors say space is limited so interested patients should book an appointment right away.
To schedule an appointment you're asked to call the Dental Assisting Office at (850) 729-6480.
The free service will be offered until July 21st.