MILWAUKEE, WIS., Oct. 1, 2018 – Several hundred Milwaukee-area children, ages 2 – 16, from low-income families will receive an estimated $50,000 in free dental screenings, toothbrush polishing, fluoride treatments, oral hygiene education and limited emergency treatment this Saturday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. – noon. at Marquette University School of Dentistry, 1801 W. Wisconsin Ave.
More than 200 volunteer dental professionals, dental and hygiene students and faculty will provide the care, along with oral hygiene instruction for parents and caregivers.
All children are welcome, but must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Care is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Following exams, children are given resources, such as appointments to community clinics, to continue their treatment and establish a dental home to encourage continued care.
Many of the children who will be seen on this day are enrolled in Milwaukee Public Schools’ Head Start Program or one of several other area Head Start programs. Head Start is a federally-funded program that provides comprehensive early childhood education to low-income children and involves their parents in the child development process.
This event is organized by representatives of the Greater Milwaukee Dental Association and MUSOD with assistance from Milwaukee Public School Head Start, Community Development Institute Head Start and Acelero Head Start, Next Door Foundation Head Start.
Dental supplies are being provided by Colgate, GMDA. and Henry Schein Dental. GMDA will also provide breakfast and morning refreshments for volunteers.
This year’s fall dental day will again include older children normally seen as part of Give Kids A Smile® which is traditionally held in February as part of National Children’s Dental Health Month.
“We have seen an increase in volunteers since combining our fall Head Start and GKAS® events, so as to have better weather than in February and to use transportation provided for Head Start families. This helps more children of all ages get the important dental care they need,” Dr. Cheska Avery-Stafford, event chair, said.
“This charitable outreach also helps Head Start youngsters comply with the preschool program’s annual dental exam requirement, while giving dental and dental hygiene students valuable clinical experience,” Avery-Stafford added.
