Image Source: American Dental Association Foundation
We thought we'd kick off National Children's Dental Health Month—introduced by the American Dental Association and observed every February—by bringing awareness to an important event the ADA launched in 2003 called Give Kids A Smile.
What is Give Kids A Smile?
GKAS began in 2002 in St. Louis when Drs. Jeff Dalin and B. Ray Storm used a run-down dental clinic to deliver free dental care to nearly 400 children. The ADA latched onto the grassroots effort and helped turn it into a nationwide program that occurs on the first Friday of every February.
During this event, dentists and dental professionals across the country volunteer time to help meet the needs of underserved children. Since 2003, the ADA says Give Kids A Smile has helped nearly 5 million kids.
Why Was Give Kids A Smile Started?
Here are a few interesting facts that drive the mission and vision of the GKAS program:
- 16 million children currently have tooth decay.
- Those in poverty experience approximately 80% of tooth decay.
- Nearly half of all children have some form or gum disease or are at high risk for developing it.
Access to dental care is also a serious concern and GKAS helps raise awareness among public officials about the issues.
How Big is Give Kids A Smile Today?
In 2016, in just a couple days, it's estimated that more than 1,200 events will take place across the U.S. and more than 280,000 children will be impacted. More than 30,000 dental professionals and volunteers are expected to participate.
How Can I Get Involved with Give Kids A Smile?
Whether you're a dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, or just want to volunteer, you can go the the GKAS site and learn more about how to get involved. There are also handy resources and information about how to plan events.
You can also make a tax deductible donation to the ADA Foundation at:
ADA Foundation
75 Remittance Drive, Suite 1178
Chicago, IL 60675
Thanks for Reading!
We hope you'll consider getting involved or learning more about Give Kids a Smile this National Children's Dental Health Month. It's a great program that helps a lot of great kids. If you enjoy our blog, please like or share our Facebook page.