GIVE KIDS A SMILE KICKOFF EVENT RAISES AWARENESS OF IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HEALTH
The 2023 Gives Kids A Smile Ohio kickoff event took place at Choffin Career and Technical Center in Youngstown on Feb. 3.
The 2023 Give Kids A Smile Ohio kickoff event took place at Choffin Career and Technical Center in Youngstown on Feb. 3.
“Our kids came in today for the Give Kids A Smile Day and it was a great experience,” said Abbey Boggs, school counselor at Paul C. Bunn Elementary School. “Even though some of them were very nervous the dental staff was very helpful and explained to them what they were doing and holding their hands and walking them through everything. I just think it’s a great opportunity for our kids.”
At the event, volunteers provided exams, cleanings and fluoride treatments to 47 children from local elementary schools. They also provided extractions, X-rays and fillings, with donated care totaling more than $14,000. Volunteers included dentists from the Corydon Palmer Dental Society and hygienists along with hygiene students from Youngstown State University and assisting students from Choffiin.
“Our students at Choffin are getting a lot of great experience with pedo patients, and the doctors have been great,” said Tina Davis, dental hygienist and instructor at Choffin at the Give Kids A Smile kickoff event. “We have so many volunteers here. They’re getting a lot of dental work done. They’re all getting cleanings, they’ve gotten fillings, we’ve taken some teeth out, we’re showing them how to brush, and we’re just enjoying every minute of it.”
Special guests included Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown, and local news station WKBN covered the event.
Through the Give Kids A Smile program, created by the American Dental Association, dentists and dental professionals across the state and nation volunteer their time throughout the year to provide screenings, treatments and oral health education to children.
“ODA member dentists are dedicated to giving back to their communities and providing dental care to those in need,” said ODA President Dr. Lori Fitzgerald. “Through our Give Kids A Smile Ohio kick-off event and events taking place throughout the state, thousands of children will receive essential oral health care to ensure they have healthy smiles.”
In 2023, more than 1,300 volunteers plan to donate more than $550,000 in oral health care and education to more than 25,000 children in Ohio. Across Ohio, more than $16 million in donated dental care and oral health education has been provided since Give Kids A Smile began 21 years ago.
For more information about how to plan a Give Kids A Smile event and to register an event, visit www.oda.org/get-involved/in-your-community/give-kids-a-smile/.
