Local Events -
Current and Past
Give Kids a
Smile Pinellas
FEBRUARY 3, 2012
Free Dental Care
to Children Without Dentists
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The
Dental Societies of Pinellas County will hope to
screen, clean and treat more than 500 children
in Pinellas County who otherwise would be unable
to receive dental care. In order to be eligible
for free dental care, the child must be Medicaid
eligible, but not covered by Medicaid. The
parent or guardian must complete the paperwork
authorizing dental treatment and will transport
the child to the nearest clinic for the
appointment. Parents can call to ensure their
children are eligible and make an appointment by
calling the Info-line at
(727) 210-4222.
We are hoping to
reach as many of our community’s underserved
children as we can by partnering up with groups
such as the Pinellas County School Board, the
YMCA, the Resurrection House for homeless
families and the Pinellas County School System.
Give
Kids a Smile launched its first annual
program in 2003 in the national, state and local
arenas. Nationally sponsored by the American
Dental Association and the Florida Dental
Association on the state level, our local
association (Pinellas County Dental Association)
joined this crusade to highlight the need for
improved dental care for underprivileged
children. Nationally, an estimated 1 million
children were seen last year at over 2500
locations. At the statewide events,
about 1,000
Florida Dental Association members
participated and provided almost $1 million of
free treatment.
Locally, the event
sponsored by the dental societies of Pinellas
County helped 544 children receive over $144,000
in services ranging from exams, teeth cleaning,
fluoride treatments, sealants, x-rays, fillings,
extractions, crowns and home care kits. Almost
200 dentists, hygienists and assistants
volunteered their time to treat these children.
This year’s event is again targeting more
than 500 children ages 4-17 at eight local
clinics, with a goal of providing an estimated
$150,000 in dental services within the three
specified days. On Friday, February 12th
every child participating in the program will be
seen for a screening, x-rays, a cleaning and
sealants, if needed. On February 26th
and 27th, any children needing
treatment will return to appointed clinics for
fillings and extractions. Several clinics will
be used throughout Pinellas: The Department of
Health in St. Pete and Pinellas Park, St. Pete
College Dental Hygiene Clinic, South PTEC Dental
Assisting Clinic, Johnnie Ruth Clark Clinic and
the UFCD Seminole Satellite Clinic.
Parents
and organizations can receive more information by calling the Info-line at
(727) 210-4222.
Space is limited, so call today to
reserve a child’s spot for this great event with
our local dentists and hygienists.


Pictures
from Give Kids A Smile 2009

Click here for more pictures from
Pinellas Give Kids A Smile
Thank you to all our Volunteers
- PCDA Dentists, Hygienists, Assistants and
other Support Staff and Organizers for this
successful annual event!
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