Arizona families without dental insurance are invited to register their children for free dental care on Thursday, Feb. 9 as part of a statewide event called Give Kids a Smile.
The event will be able to provide help for up to 100 uninsured kids from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Southwest Kids Dentistry, 6970 N. Oracle Road, Suite 110. Children from infancy to age 18 will be able to receive comprehensive oral health care, including cleanings, fillings, extractions and even baby teeth “root canals,” organizers say.
Interested parents who lack dental coverage for their children are invited to log on to www.tucsonkid.com to complete intake forms. Preregistration is strongly advised.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, more than one-third of Arizona third-graders have untreated tooth decay, and school-age children here are more likely to have tooth decay than asthma, hay fever or chronic bronchitis.
The charitable giving day is part of Give Kids a Smile, an initiative created by the American Dental Association 15 years ago to reduce school absenteeism by eliminating oral pain.
Give Kids a Smile is held statewide in February to recognize National Children’s Dental Health Month and to build awareness of children’s oral health issues and unmet needs.
