February is National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM), and the ADA is gearing up to kick off its annual Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) program.
On February 4, the ADA will hold GKAS events across the U.S., mobilizing more than 45,000 dentists and dental member volunteers to provide free dental services such as screenings, educational materials, and, where possible, cleanings, x-rays, and fillings to underserved children and adolescents. An estimated 400,000 children will receive services at 1,750 sites during this year's program.
"Give Kids A Smile events provide desperately needed oral healthcare to children in need, yet the ADA knows that a one-day event is not a cure for the epidemic of untreated dental disease," said ADA President Raymond Gist, DDS, in a press release. "The ADA and state dental societies will continue to advocate for the policymakers at the federal and state level to allocate adequate funding to provide dental services to children in need through Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs."
The ADA offers free downloadable oral health information for parents and teachers to promote the benefits of good oral health to children. The NCDHM program guide includes classroom activities and program planning timetable tips.
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