ALTOONA, Pa. -- There is no reason for children in Blair County to go without proper dental care. The Children's Dental Clinic at the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center is available to any child in need.

A survey conducted by the Altoona Regional Health System more than a decade ago identified unmet pediatric dental needs as the greatest unmet health care need in Blair County. A clinic for children receiving medical assistance or from low-income families was a perfect solution, and an excellent training ground for the career and technology center's dental assisting program.

"You can instruct students, you can tell them what to do and have them memorize it, but when you have them do it, that's when they really learn," said Dr. Donald Betar, Jr., clinic director.

And the program, which plugs dental assisting students from surrounding high schools into a fully functioning dental clinic, has grown, in large part because students recognize the benefits of learning on the job.

"That is the main reason I came here, for the hands-on education," said Garrett Link, a second-year dental assisting student. "That's what I like mostly about it. Instead of sitting in class and learning everything, I get to come over here and work."

That is not to say students don't receive plenty of classroom instruction. The course provides comprehensive in-class study and lab work. But unlike many other programs, the learning doesn't end there. Under the guidance of a team of professional dentists and dental hygienists, students apply what they have learned at the clinic. Former students said the clinic experience was a tremendous advantage.

"It helped me because it gave me more experience, which helped me to be better prepared to get a job," explained dental assistant Courtney Hamer.

The clinic is made possible through a collaborative effort of the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center and the Altoona Regional Partnership for a Healthy Community, the nonprofit foundation arm of Altoona Regional Health System. It is open Tuesdays through Thursdays to children aged 1-18 who qualify. Stacey Randolph, whose two children receive dental care at the clinic, appreciates the help.

"As a single mom, you do what you can, but it's just not affordable. If this wasn't here, they probably wouldn't get to go to the dentist. I really think this is a huge blessing, not only for us but for the whole community."