Kool Smiles donates oral health supplies to Red Cross

Kool Smiles has donated oral health supplies to help approximately 3,000 victims of the recent flooding and tornadoes in Mississippi and surrounding areas.

The toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste will support relief efforts in the 14 counties in Mississippi that were declared federal disaster areas, according to the company.

Many areas in Mississippi experienced tornadoes that resulted in loss of life and extensive damage to homes and other property. The death count for the state had risen to 35 as of April 30, while the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency estimated more than 2,500 homes and 100 businesses were damaged. The rising water has caused the evacuation of thousands of residents who live near the river.

State lawmakers had requested the supplies, which were received May 11.

"We are devastated at the loss suffered by so many of the families in our communities in the south," said Polly Buckey, DDS, a pediatric dentist who serves as a spokesperson for Kool Smiles. "While this is only one piece of a larger effort coordinated by the Red Cross, we hope we can provide a small amount of normalcy to the victims of these natural disasters."