Give Kids a Smile
By Dr. Linda Niessen -- Baylor College of Dentistry For More Information : Dallas County Dental Society can also help locate low cost dental services. DCDS can be reached at 972-386-5741. STORY: GIVE KIDS A SMILE
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Kiwanis Dental Clinic is located at 5216 Monarch, Dallas. Phone number is 214-827-1724.
SCRIPT #499 SHOOT: 2/13/03
AIRDATE: Monday, Feb. 17, 2003
DHC #17
At more than 4,000 locations in the United States, dentists and their staffs deliver free dental care this week.
“Tooth decay is probably one of the most common preventable infections among children in America,” Dr. William Powell of the Dallas County Dental Society said.
Powell and thousands of other dentists struggle to meet the needs of low income families unable to pay for dental treatment.
“The idea is to be able to broaden access to care. And the key word is access to care for these children,” Powell said.
To make people aware of the problem, the American Dental Association launched a program called Give Kids A Smile.
Give Kids a smile programs take place all over the country in community clinics like this one. The program brings together volunteer dentists and hygienists to treat children whose families can’t afford dental care.
“If they have a dental problem, go to school nurse. Get a school nurse referral and we will get them scheduled,” said Gene Niswander of the Kiwanis Dental Clinic in Dallas.
Niswander said they help up to 1,500 children every year. They provide services and education.
“We ask for a $10 per visit contribution, providing the basic oral health needs for children. And the important part about that is oral hygiene instructions,” Niswander said.
Long term, children can qualify for free dental care through Medicaid and the Health Insurance Program, also called CHIP.
If you have a child who needs dental care, first talk with your school nurse or call your local dental society to help find low cost dental clinics in your community.
Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.
