Students, Faculty ‘Give Kids a Smile’ with Free Dental Care

Philadelphia —Penn Dental Medicine opened its doors during the month of April to children in the community, providing free dental care as part of Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY)’s annual Give Kids a Smile. Penn Dental Medicine was one of 19 sites in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware counties to participate in this year’s program. Penn Dental Medicine students and faculty provided care within the School’s pediatric care center and at Puentes de Salud on April 21 and April 28, and treated children aboard the PennSmiles dental van on April 21, 22, 28 and 29; 94 children were served at these Penn Dental Medicine locations.

“We are pleased to partner with PCCY on Give Kids a Smile,” says Dr. Joan Gluch, Chief of the Division of Community Oral Health. “Dental decay is the most common childhood disease, and sadly, many Philadelphia school children don’t get the dental care they need to prevent and treat cavities. The Give Kids a Smile Program aims to provide dental care today as well as connect parents with resources for continuing dental care for their children.”

Children received comprehensive oral exams, cleanings, x-rays as needed, and even some fillings and extractions; follow-up appointments were also made for any required restorative care or preventive procedures.

In addition to offering free care, a goal of this day of service is to help families enroll in public health insurance programs so their children can continue to receive dental care. The Penn Dental Medicine pediatric care center provides affordable, quality care for infants, children, and adolescents; appointments can be scheduled by calling 215-898-8965.

Through all of the participating practices, PCCY’s Give Kids a Smile served 439 children this year throughout the month of April.