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Eligible Lake County Children Can Receive Free Dental Care

Friday, January 27, 2012

For the 6th consecutive year, the Lake County Dental Association (LCDA), in alliance with the Lake County Health Department (LCHD) and the Florida Department of Health Volunteer Health Care Provider Program (VHCPP) partner to give underprivileged children, between the ages of 3-18, access to free dental services in celebration of ADA's national Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) campaign.

The purpose of GKAS is to encourage parents, health professionals, policymakers and everyone who cares about children, to help combat and address this important health issue - tooth decay, the 'silent epidemic' of dental disease. Nearly one in four children, aged 2 to 11 years old has untreated cavities in their baby teeth, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. GKAS is held annually to:

. provide free dental services to local, qualifying children,

. raise awareness of the epidemic of untreated dental disease occurring here and across the country

. raise awareness of the need to build local public and private partnerships to increase access to oral health care.

For this local GKAS event, Lake County dentists distribute free educational materials, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and provide free screenings, cleanings, fluoride treatments and necessary dental care such as fillings, extractions and root canals in their private offices. Last year, more than 42 area dentists and non-dentist volunteers helped provide 87 disadvantaged children over $96,000 of donated dental services.

The free dental screening will take place on Friday, February 17, 2012 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Lake Children's Dentistry office located at 3261 US Hwy 441/27 in Fruitland Park. Children will then be provided referrals to private dental offices throughout Lake County for restorative dental care.

To qualify, eligible families must be at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. A scheduled appointment is required and limited to the first eligible 100 patients. A parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment. To schedule an appointment and for financial eligibility, you may call Joyce at (352) 360-6663 no later than Friday, February 3, 2012.

CDA Project: Dentists Care Coordinator, Dr. Lisa Yurkiewicz adds, "We wish to emphasize dental education by motivating parents and children alike, to make more healthy choices by incorporating effective, consistent oral hygiene habits in their daily lives to help minimize dental decay and for overall improved oral health. GKAS is a significant way to help those in need, promote dental literacy and impact our oral healthcare system."