School of Dentistry treats elementary school students

About 100 elementary school children filled the clinics of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry for Give Kids a Smile Day.

“Open wide,” was the catchphrase of the morning from dental and dental hygiene students as well as volunteer dentists. The children participating in the event had been selected during routine health screenings performed by Score 1 for Health at elementary schools in the Kansas City area earlier in the school year.

The UMKC School of Dentistry has been hosting free, comprehensive Give Kids a Smile dental clinics each February for the past nine years in conjunction with the national Give Kids a Smile Day sponsored by the American Dental Association. Many of the children who received care during the event do not have access to the benefits of regular dental care, and some children have never received a professional cleaning and suffer from cavities, decay and infection.

The pre-registered children came from Bonner Springs Elementary in Bonner Springs, Kan.; Delaware, Emerson and Noble Prentis elementary schools in Kansas City, Kan.; Edwardsville Elementary in Edwardsville, Kan.; and Oak Grove Elementary in Oak Grove, Mo. Heavy snowfall earlier in the week prevented children from Center Elementary from attending.

Each child received an exam, cleaning and fluoride treatment, and if needed, sealants, restorative care and oral surgery. After their time in the dental chair, kids were treated to face painting, temporary tattoos, a Disney movie, a visit from the Tooth Fairy and more, courtesy of the PEDO Club at the UMKC School of Dentistry. All the children were given a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss, donated by Procter & Gamble and Delta Dental of Missouri, and a book donated by the Kansas City Public Library. Delta Dental provided transportation and lunch for each child.

Photo Credit: Jim Thomas and Armando Diaz, School of Dentistry