UK College of Dentistry to Provide Free Care in 'Give Kids a Smile' Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 23, 2012) − The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry is providing free dental care for underserved children as part of the American Dental Association's "Give Kids a Smile" program. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on  Feb.18 in the College of Dentistry's second and third floor dental clinics.
 

"Give Kids a Smile" is an annual one-day volunteer initiative to provide free educational, preventive and restorative services to children from low-income families. Thousands of dentists across the country will take time to help underserved children who aren't getting the oral health care they need.
 

“I am proud of our students and faculty for getting behind this effort to help children and raise the awareness of the importance of oral health as a part of total health,” said Sharon Turner, dean of the UK College of Dentistry.
 

This is the second year the College of Dentistry is participating in the ADA's Give Kids a Smile program organized by a planning team at the college, said Fonda Robinson, associate dean of Clinical Affairs in the College of Dentistry.
 

“Our mission for all citizens in the Commonwealth centers around creating healthy smiles," Robinson said. "This event is all about making kids smile and the College of Dentistry has excited volunteers who have come together to provide free oral health care to 100 underprivileged children in our own community.”
 

Registration will take place on the first floor of the college beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continues until 10 a.m. Up to 100 patients, ages 4-12 years-old, will be seen and treated. All patients must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Guardians must provide documentation of guardianship.
 

For more information about the event, please call (859) 323-6525. Parking is available in the UK HealthCare Parking Garage located at 110 Transcript Ave. with free shuttle service provided. Parking tickets will receive a validation stamp for a reduced price.

Media Contact: Ann Blackford at (859) 323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu