Local contact: Dr. Allie Simmons, Pensacola Kids Dentistry
850-549-3656,
metzler.allison@gmail.com
On Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3, Pensacola Kids Dentistry will host the “Give Kids A Smile” event at Pensacola State College Warrington Campus. The event is focused on helping children from low-income families from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties receive free dental services ranging from preventive care like cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatment, to restorative care such as fillings as part of National Give Kids A Smile Day. For more information on this event, please see our Facebook page Give Kids A Smile Pensacola.
Who
When
- Voluntary pre-screening – Friday, March 2, noon – 4 p.m. Being pre-screened significantly cuts down on Saturday wait time
- Give Kids A Smile Day – Saturday, March 3, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Treatment is on a first-come, first-served basis for both days
Where
- Pensacola State College Warrington Campus – 5555 W. Hwy 98, Pensacola
Give Kids A Smile is a nationwide program sponsored by the American Dental Association and locally implemented by members of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Dental Society. This event is made possible from the voluntary work of local dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and numerous student and community volunteers who will donate their time and skills to provide these free services to eligible children.
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting American children – five times more common than asthma. Nearly one in four children, from ages 2 to 11 years old, has untreated cavities in their baby teeth, according to the CDC. The National Institutes of Health report that 80 percent of tooth decay is found in just 25 percent of children, primarily from low-income families. Moderate tooth decay during childhood restricts physical development, decreasing the ability to learn and requires frequent emergency room visits and hospitalizations. In some cases, untreated oral disease has been linked to catastrophic illness and even death.
