BALTIMORE, Maryland--As part of Give Kids a Smile, the National Museum of Dentistry will partner with the University of Maryland Dental School and the Maryland State Dental Association Feb. 8 to provide free dental screenings and a hands-on exploration of the MouthPower oral health education program to approximately 50 Baltimore City school students.
The Give Kids a Smile program, a national program to help children gain access to the oral health education and dental care they need and initiated by the American Dental Association, is designed to provide education, preventative and restorative care to low-income children who do not have access to care. Dental disease among kids from low-income families is epidemic.
Eighty percent of children's tooth decay is found in just 25 percent of children. Untreated disease is painful and affects a child's physical, emotional and social development. However, dental disease is preventable with brushing, flossing, regular dental visits, and having access to fluoride and sealants.
"Give Kids a Smile is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of good oral health, something that the National Museum of Dentistry strives to do every day," said NMD Executive Director Rosemary Fetter. "We are excited that our signature oral health education program--MouthPower--is a centerpiece for this event, giving children the tools they need to take care of their teeth for a lifetime."
During the Give Kids a Smile event at the National Museum of Dentistry, students from George Washington Elementary School will receive a free dental screening to identify dental disease and a fluoride sealant to help prevent cavities.
They will take home a report noting what types of follow up and treatment may be necessary, along with recommendations on where to seek treatment. The children will also discover how to have a healthy mouth for life through the Museum's MouthPower program, a hands-on exploration of how to brush and floss, how to eat healthy, and how to avoid the dangers of tobacco.
The signature health education program of the National Museum of Dentistry, MouthPower targets elementary school-age children with the message that taking good care of your teeth will result in a healthy mouth and body for a lifetime. The program is also available in an interactive web program at www.MouthPower.org.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the National Museum of Dentistry and the Maryland State Dental Association during this year's Give Kids a Smile event. The need is overwhelming, and we are pleased to do our part to give children in Baltimore City access to important oral health care," said Christian Stohler, dean of the University of Maryland Dental School.
This Give Kids a Smile event has been organized by students from the University of Maryland Dental School. Transportation for students from George Washington Elementary School is made possible by the Maryland State Dental Association.
"We are honored to join with the National Museum of Dentistry and the University of Maryland Dental School in this very important Give Kids a Smile program," said Dr. Garner D. Morgan, President of the Maryland State Dental Association. "This is a great opportunity to reach out to the children of our community and help educate them about the importance of oral health."
