Give Kids a Smile Eng 2100 – Project II Amanda Christensen

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children, and it is continuing to increase. Many families in underserved populations cannot afford the extensive costs of dental care. Give Kids a Smile is an event that offers free dental care for children of underserved areas. Give Kids a Smile

History of Give Kids a Smile A need for dental care for children in low income areas was recognized by a group of community oriented dental professionals in Missouri, they set a goal to make this dental treatment achievable. The first Give Kids a Smile clinic day was in 2002 in St. Louise, Missouri. Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) was later adopted by the American Dental Association, who established a national clinic day every year in February. Now, over a million underprivileged children all over the country are receiving dental treatment for free every year. Over $100,000,000 dollars in dental care is being provided at no cost thanks to support of schools, organizations, corporations, and individual volunteers.

GKAS Mission Statement “Our mission is to bring caring volunteers and organizations together for the purpose of delivering quality services to children. Our commitment is to the underserved and to strive to mentor organizations and future volunteers to help kids smile.”

GOALS “To seek avenues to increase access to dental and other health related services of the underserved. To develop training programs for students and professionals to deliver quality dental and other health services to the underserved. To select and design clinic sites throughout the St. Louis area for delivering dental and other health services to the underserved. To promote programs for increasing access to care for the local, state, and national underserved.

GOALS To educate children, parents and caregivers in issues of health and prevention. To continue to work closely and coordinate services provided by GKAS and by local clinics such as Forest Park Community College, St. Louis University, and low income clinics established and operating in our area. To focus all our energy to insuring the tender and careful care of children in this modern world.”

Treatment Provided RestorativePreventative Fillings Stainless steel crowns Root canals Extractions Dental cleanings X-rays Fluoride treatment Nutrition counseling

Vouchers Children who need extensive work, requiring multiple dental visits receive vouchers. These vouchers are donated by dentists in the area who are willing to treat the children at their personal office at no charge.

Supplies Most supplies are donated by Henry Schien, a large dental supply company well know in dental offices in the US. Other supply companies such as, 3M ESPE, Hu-Friedy, Kimbery-Clark, and Crest/Oral-B also donate supplies to GKAS.

Give Kids A Smile - Providing free dental care and education for underserved children. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2015, from Give Kids a Smile. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2015, from University of Utah Give Kids a Smile (2015, March 3). Retrieved March 8, 2015, from Bibliography