Third Annual Give Kids a Smile Day
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New London County's Third Annual Give Kids a Smile Day
Friday, February 8, 2008
Contact Yolanda Bowes
United Community & Family Services
892-7042 x 377
Or
Dr. Mary Jane Vallee
860-448-2820
Parents in need of dental care for their children can get a free screening and dental treatment for by calling 892-7042 x 381 between now and January 18th. As part of Give Kids A Smile Day, local private dentists have volunteered their services to help kids in the community who don’t get regular dental care due to lack of insurance and other barriers.
Families who call for an appointment will be scheduled for a dental screening on Saturday, January 19th at either Community Health Center in New London, or United Community & Family Services Health Center in Norwich. Volunteer dentists, hygienists and assistants will be on hand to do an oral exam and identify decay or other problems that need treatment. Following the screening, children will be scheduled for treatment on Friday, February 8th at a volunteer private dentist’s office in the community closest to their home. If transportation is a barrier, arrangements can be made to help the family get to their appointments.
The American Dental Association has designated February as National Children’s Dental Health Month. Give Kids A Smile Day has been adopted by the ADA is a one day event to raise awareness of the need for better access to dental care. For the third year in a row members of The Smiles Across Southeast Connecticut Oral Health Collaborative have joined with members of the New London County Dental Association to provide free screenings and treatment for children who are uninsured or have not been getting regular dental care. Most of us take a visit to the dentist for granted but, for many families, barriers include lack of insurance; the inability to afford a cleaning, filling or sealants; lack of transportation; and difficulty taking time off from work to bring their child to the dentist. Unfortunately dental care is a luxury many families feel they just can’t afford.
To help increase access, the Smiles Across Southeast Connecticut Oral Health Collaborative has developed two In School Dental Programs in New London County to make accessing dental care easier for uninsured and underinsured families. The Smiles on the Move Program is run by United Community & Family Services in Norwich. Their dental hygienists bring portable dental equipment to schools in Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Lebanon, Ledyard, Montville, Norwich, Preston, Sprague, and Voluntown as well as all of the TVCCA Head Start and Early Care & Education sites.
The Brighter Smiles Program is run by Community Health Center of New London. Their dental hygienists bring portable dental equipment to schools in New London, Waterford, Stonington, and North Stonington. Through these two programs children can access preventive dental services such as cleanings, fluoride treatments, x-rays, and sealants during the school day. Follow up treatment, such as fillings, is done at the corresponding health center dental clinic.
For more information on Give Kids A Smile Day or the two In School Dental Programs please call Yolanda Bowes at 860-892-7042 x 377.