VCU School of Dentistry to take part in Give Kids a Smile Day

By Lindsay McClaire
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry is partnering with the Virginia Dental Association to assist with Give Kids a Smile Day as part of the American Dental Association’s nationwide effort to focus attention on the epidemic of untreated oral disease among disadvantaged children.

The event will take place Friday, Feb. 2 at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, 2601 Kensington Ave., as well as other locations in Southside.

“This is a good outreach program to help those that might not have ever seen a dentist before,” said Allison M. Williams, a VCU senior dental hygiene student. “Prevention when a child is young will promote the best outcome when they get older.”

The children receiving care are primarily elementary school age and pre-school. VCU partners with Richmond Public Schools, Henrico Head Start and VCU Head Start.

“Each year since the inception in 2003 the Richmond program has grown both in volunteer involvement and the number of children receiving care,” said Martha Bushong, assistant director of external relations for the VCU School of Dentistry. ”The dental community pulls together to make the event happen.”

According to Bushong, approximately 250 patients received treatment in 2003, 470 in 2004, more than 800 in 2005 and more than 1,000 in 2006. This year there are expected to be over 1,200 patients participating.

Dental faculty and students from VCU as well as members of the Richmond Dental Society will volunteer their time and skills along with many other schools, local dental clinics and local dental professionals across the country.

“For a lot of children, this is their first experience seeing a dentist and it’s important to make a good impression,” said Williams. “This is also important because a lot of children fall into the category of being underprivileged and in these cases, dental care is one of the first things that are overlooked.”

Forty-four dental students, eight hygiene students and 35 local dental professionals participated last year.

Some of this year’s participants will include; the Southside Dental Society, The Alliance to the Richmond Dental Society, the Greater Richmond Dental Hygienists’ Association, the Richmond Metro Dental Assistants Society and Delta Dental’s Smart Smiles.