Big companies are making big donations to put smiles on little faces for the ADA's sixth annual Give Kids A Smile day. On February 1 more than 50,000 dental professionals around the country will provide free dental treatment to kids from low income families.
"The ADA and dentists across the nation are engaged in creating public awareness of this critical need and trying to extend access to dental care to more low income children," said Mark Feldman, D.M.D., president of the ADA in a press release. "To this end we are celebrating February 1 with our sixth annual Give Kids A Smile program, to help put children on the road to a lifetime of good oral health."
Depending on location, kids can get screenings and in some cases free dental cleaning, fluoride treatments, fillings, and even more intensive care. For this purpose Colgate is donating 300,000 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste. Henry Schein will provide 2,500 professional dental product kits, and Dexis will donate the use of 50 digital X-ray systems to each participating dental school
Most events require children to be registered in advance. For a list and contact information of events in your state, go here and click on your state on the map.
"A one-day event like Give Kids A Smile isn't a cure-all; it's a wake-up call. People shouldn't have to depend on charity for basic dental care. It's time for politicians, parents, and others who care to work together toward a solution," the ADA states on its Web site.
