Monday, 22 February 2010 17:00

“Smiles For Kids 2010” Program Gives Over 60 Children Free Dental Care

slide5.pngAmador County – Jackson Creek Dental Group’s “Smiles For Kids 2010” program in late January turned out to be a huge success, with over 60 children receiving free dental care. Children who qualified and would not otherwise be able to receive dental care were given, x-rays, teeth cleaning, sealants, fluoride treatments and emergency treatments. Four local dentists worked as volunteers, including Dr. Ask, Dr. Kinzer, Dr. Roda and Dr. Simpson. The total estimated cost of these free services was estimated at over $20,000. Thirty-one of these children were referred to local dentists for further treatment and thirteen were sent to specialists in Sacramento as part of the Sacramento District Dental Society’s Adopt-a-Child, Orthodontic, and Specialty Referral Care Programs. To qualify for treatment, children had to be 2-18 years of age, qualify for free or reduced fee school lunches, WIC or CHDP, be a resident of Amador or Calaveras County, and not be covered by private dental insurance. “One of our priorities during treatment time was educating these children and their families about good oral hygiene and the prevention of dental disease. We know that developing gum and periodontal disease can affect the entire body, so early prevention and education is key to retaining a healthy smile and body,” said Dwight Simpson, D.D.S. at Jackson Creek Dental Group. The Smiles for Kids program, a project of the Sacramento District Dental Society and Foundation, is run in support of the American Dental Association’s “Give Kids a Smile” campaign. Participants are member doctors, their staffs, vendors and community volunteers. “Smiles for Kids serves as much more than simply a means for providing dental treatment - it draws awareness to the issues of poor oral health and access to care, and fosters outreach, education and partnership within our community,” said Dr. Ron Ask shortly before the program begin. He added: “Together we can make a difference and give the children in our community smiles for life.” This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.