Jersey City Medical Center, in cooperation with various dental associations and schools throughout the state, will host the 7th annual Give Kids a Smile at its Columbus Health Center, 115 Christopher Columbus Drive (across from the Grove Street Path Station) on Friday, Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
On this day, dentists will provide children ages 12 and under with free dental care. The program targets children who do not have regular access to such care.
“This year, the event is especially meaningful,” said Dr. Paul Rotunda, a dentist at Jersey City Medical Center, who will supervise the local program. “Many local families have been affected by the economy, with many people losing their jobs and, unfortunately, dental care often ends up falling by the wayside. This can be a serious problem, especially in the case of children where failing to do the kind of preventive care that can eliminate tooth decay can lead to lifelong dental and oral health problems.”
According to Dr. Rotunda, more than one hundred children are expected to be seen during Give Kids a Smile day. Between the Jersey City Medical Center dentists and volunteers, more than a dozen dental practitioners are expected to participate.
Children will receive a comprehensive dental exam, oral healthcare instruction, fluoride treatments, and free dental materials including toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste. Referrals, where necessary, will be made for continuing treatment.
Give Kids a Smile is a national program sponsored by the American Dental Association to bring attention to childhood tooth decay. At last year’s event, nearly a half million children in the U.S. received more than $50 million in dental care at more than 4,600 sites nationwide.
“It is estimated that nearly 50 million school hours are missed every year because of dental pain,” said Dr. Rotunda. “Children from low-income families are twice as likely to be affected. In a small way, the Give Kids a Smile event is trying to help these children and educate both children and parents on the importance of good dental care.”
New Jersey runs one of the most successful Give Kids a Smile programs in the country. The statewide event is sponsored by the New Jersey Dental Association, in cooperation with the New Jersey Dental Hygienists’ Association, the New Jersey Dental Assistants’ Association and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Dental School. More than 70 locations are participating (with a list of all sites available at www.njda.org/gkas ).
On this day, dentists will provide children ages 12 and under with free dental care. The program targets children who do not have regular access to such care.
“This year, the event is especially meaningful,” said Dr. Paul Rotunda, a dentist at Jersey City Medical Center, who will supervise the local program. “Many local families have been affected by the economy, with many people losing their jobs and, unfortunately, dental care often ends up falling by the wayside. This can be a serious problem, especially in the case of children where failing to do the kind of preventive care that can eliminate tooth decay can lead to lifelong dental and oral health problems.”
According to Dr. Rotunda, more than one hundred children are expected to be seen during Give Kids a Smile day. Between the Jersey City Medical Center dentists and volunteers, more than a dozen dental practitioners are expected to participate.
Children will receive a comprehensive dental exam, oral healthcare instruction, fluoride treatments, and free dental materials including toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste. Referrals, where necessary, will be made for continuing treatment.
Give Kids a Smile is a national program sponsored by the American Dental Association to bring attention to childhood tooth decay. At last year’s event, nearly a half million children in the U.S. received more than $50 million in dental care at more than 4,600 sites nationwide.
“It is estimated that nearly 50 million school hours are missed every year because of dental pain,” said Dr. Rotunda. “Children from low-income families are twice as likely to be affected. In a small way, the Give Kids a Smile event is trying to help these children and educate both children and parents on the importance of good dental care.”
New Jersey runs one of the most successful Give Kids a Smile programs in the country. The statewide event is sponsored by the New Jersey Dental Association, in cooperation with the New Jersey Dental Hygienists’ Association, the New Jersey Dental Assistants’ Association and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Dental School. More than 70 locations are participating (with a list of all sites available at www.njda.org/gkas
