LEXINGTON, Ky. — For many people, a trip to the dentist as a child was not a trip you look forward to. But for one dental hygienist student at Bluegrass Community College, it was. 

Now, she’s helping her community through free dental care.

What You Need To Know

  • Bluegrass Community College hosted an event called “Give a Kid a Smile” to help children in the community

  • Children received free dental care, cleanings, fluoride treatments, exams and more

  • Sydney Slavey is one of the Dental Hygienist students at BCTC

  • Slavey has been wanting to be in this career field since she was 8 years old

The whir and buzz of dental instruments are sounds that many try to avoid, but not Sydney Slavey.

“My family always says, ‘Oh you want to touch teeth all day? It’s so gross!’ But I love it, I don’t know why, It’s weird but I love it,” Slavey said.

Slavey said she’s finally living out.

“It all started when I was eight years old. I had a hygienist, Missy Jones, and I loved her,” Slavey said.

She’s been taking classes since high school and is set to graduate in May. Slavey commutes nearly five hours daily to get to and from her classes.

“Every morning I leave at 5 a.m. and I’ll get home at about 7. It’s been very, very hard,” Slavey said.

But it’s a drive that is worth every minute. 

“I love people, love to take care of them and if I can be the one to put a smile on their face every day, that’s what I want to do,” Slavey said.

Slavey said her compassion for helping others came from her parents, the role models who have helped her through her studies.

“You know, my parents were very successful people. That made me want to be successful and help the world and want to do better for the community,” Slavey said.