Every year, the Section of Pediatric Dentistry holds its annual Give Kids A Smile event – a national initiative created in 2003 by the American Dental Association to promote pediatric oral health in underserved communities.
Under the Give Kids A Smile program, dental schools and clinics across the country organize local health fairs, which aim to benefit hundreds of young children who lack proper dental care and in need of dental homes.
Partnering with The Children’s Dental Center of Greater Los Angeles (TCDC) in Inglewood, TCDC has been the hosting location for the past several years, graciously offered their 10-chair dental clinic and the adjacent Tooth Fairy Cottage for this special event.
The Section and TCDC spend several months prior to the event visiting local elementary and junior high schools where they screen hundreds of children who are deemed good candidates to receive actual dental treatment on the day of the event. We also reach out to local libraries, supermarket and WIC center in an effort to promote the event to the local community.
On the day of the event, close to 100 children, ranging from infants to teens, receive free dental services and valuable oral health education. Services include dental screenings, fluoride varnish applications, sealants, fillings, and extractions. Every child also receives free dental supplies including toothbrushes and toothpaste.
More than one hundred of faculty members, residents, ACT trainees, dental assistants, pre-doctoral dental students, and pre-dent undergraduate students volunteer at this annual community outreach event. We are proud to be able to provide excellent services to so many children, support our local community and help several children establish their dental homes
Under the Give Kids A Smile program, dental schools and clinics across the country organize local health fairs, which aim to benefit hundreds of young children who lack proper dental care and in need of dental homes.
Partnering with The Children’s Dental Center of Greater Los Angeles (TCDC) in Inglewood, TCDC has been the hosting location for the past several years, graciously offered their 10-chair dental clinic and the adjacent Tooth Fairy Cottage for this special event.
The Section and TCDC spend several months prior to the event visiting local elementary and junior high schools where they screen hundreds of children who are deemed good candidates to receive actual dental treatment on the day of the event. We also reach out to local libraries, supermarket and WIC center in an effort to promote the event to the local community.
On the day of the event, close to 100 children, ranging from infants to teens, receive free dental services and valuable oral health education. Services include dental screenings, fluoride varnish applications, sealants, fillings, and extractions. Every child also receives free dental supplies including toothbrushes and toothpaste.
More than one hundred of faculty members, residents, ACT trainees, dental assistants, pre-doctoral dental students, and pre-dent undergraduate students volunteer at this annual community outreach event. We are proud to be able to provide excellent services to so many children, support our local community and help several children establish their dental homes
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