Dental Professionals Mobilized To Provide Free Services To Nation's Children

More than 35,000 dental professionals are poised to provide free dental services to the nation's underserved children on the American Dental Association's (ADA) Give Kids A Smile/National
Children's Dental Access Day (GKAS), scheduled for February 6.

GKAS dental events at more than 2,150 sites across the country will range from large-scale dental clinics providing free fillings, cleanings and fluoride treatments, to groups of dentists providing care to underserved children in their private practices, to individual dentists giving education and screening programs in a variety of locations.

NATIONAL KICK-OFF EVENTS IN WASHINGTON AND NEW YORK

Clinics at the Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C., and New York University College of Dentistry are the sites for GKAS national kick-off events, also on February 6. For more information, including specific site locations of GKAS events nationwide, visit the ADA's online press kit at http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/ada/10357/

Through GKAS, dentistry is calling national attention to the silent epidemic of dental disease that prevents children from eating, sleeping and paying attention in school. According to the U.S. Surgeon General's report on oral health, the single most common chronic childhood disease is tooth decay.

Last year's GKAS event provided education, screening, preventive and, in many cases, comprehensive treatment valued at more than $100 million to 1 million children.

Joining the ADA in its GKAS efforts are Crest Healthy Smiles 2010, the exclusive provider of consumer products, which provided toothbrushes, toothpaste and educational materials for nearly one-half million children.

Sullivan-Schein Dental is the exclusive professional product distributor for GKAS. In addition, Dexis Digital X-ray Systems, and Ivoclar Vivodent, Inc. are providers of dental supplies and equipment to participating dental professionals.