VCU School Of Dentistry To Take Part In Dental Outreach Project

By Malorie Burkett and Lindsay McClaire

Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Dentistry, the Richmond Dental Society and Delta Dental's Smart Smiles will take part in Give Kids a Smile Day – a nationwide effort to focus attention on the epidemic of untreated oral disease among disadvantaged children.

The event will take place Friday, Feb. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, 2601 Kensington Ave.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Marilyn Tavenner, secretary of health and human resources, are scheduled to visit in observance of National Children's Dental Health Month for February.

Dental faculty and students from VCU will volunteer their time and skills to primarily elementary school and pre-school-aged children of Richmond Public Schools, Henrico Head Start and VCU Head Start. Other schools, dental clinics and dental offices also will participate across Virginia. Nearly 2,500 children have received treatment in the program since 2003.

Some of this year's participants will include the Virginia Dental Association, the Alliance to the Richmond Dental Society, the Greater Richmond Dental Hygienists' Association, the Richmond Metro Dental Assistants Society and the Southside Dental Society.