Release Date: February 5, 2010
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
Local Dentists Donate Time to Give Kids a Smile 
Metro Health and partners focus oral health care services on children in need
Nearly 70 children being seen today for urgent dental care at a southwest side clinic are among hundreds receiving oral health services during the local observance of Give Kids a Smile Day. Metro Health, the San Antonio District Dental Society (the local chapter of the American Dental Association), and partner agencies provided the services to children at the Ricardo Salinas Clinic, 630 S. General McMullen, as District 5 Councilman David Medina proclaimed February 5 as Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) Day.
Children suffering from untreated dental disease are participating in free dental clinics offered by volunteer dentists at three major GKAS projects taking place locally today. Since November, more than 2,800 disadvantaged area children have been reached through outreach activities related to GKAS. The goal is to provide desperately-needed treatment while increasing awareness of the unmet dental needs of children who do not have access to preventive and restorative dental care.
“This is a great example of public and private entities partnering to address needs for children in our community and providing a valuable service,” said Councilman Medina. “Children should have access to dental health care. It’s important for their overall health and self confidence.”
Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease – five times
more common than asthma. In Texas, 44% of children have untreated tooth decay, compared with 26% for the U.S.
The easily preventable problem can result in persistent pain and infection, often leading to difficulty eating, sleeping, poor self esteem, decreased school performance and increased absenteeism. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illness. It is estimated that 25% of economically disadvantaged children have not seen a dentist before entering kindergarten. Additionally, there is more than twice the number of Americans without dental insurance than those lacking health insurance.
“Poor oral health can affect your overall physical health as dental infections enter the bloodstream and cause serious or life-threatening conditions. Conversely, your mouth can serve as an early warning sign for ailments such as diabetes and cancer. Timely identification of certain diseases can be achieved through regularly scheduled dental appointments,” said Dr. Bryan Alsip, assistant director at Metro Health.
Altogether, more than 850 children previously identified through school-based programs will benefit from GKAS Day activities taking place throughout the community. Other locations include three CentroMed clinics, the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dental School and many offices of local members of the American Dental Association.
GKAS is held on the first Friday of every February as part of National Children’s Dental Health Month.
For more information about Metro Health’s dental health services, click here or call 207-4710.
