Smile Kentucky! treatment day provides dental care for kids

Helping give children a new smile is the focus of a collaboration between Smile Kentucky! and the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. On Feb. 12, 25 Bullitt County Elementary School children visited the dental school for free dental care - everything from cleanings to sealants and crowns. The children were identified during the first phase of the Smile Kentucky! program, consisting of school-based dental education and screenings.

UofL dental students, pediatric dentistry residents and dental faculty completed the treatment. Those requiring additional care will be invited to return for subsequent appointments at no out-of-pocket cost to them and their families.

This past fall, members of the Louisville Dental Society and other local providers completed dental screenings for 800 Bullitt County children in grades 3-5 through the Smile Kentucky! program. Children with no dental insurance or who have urgent dental needs were invited to participate in one of the three Smile Kentucky! treatment days. The first phase of the effort also involved oral health education for 3,600 children.

Smile Kentucky! is now in its 17th year and complements the ADA Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile® program to provide free oral health care services to underserved children.

A second group of children will visit the school on Feb. 19.

Watch a video from Spectrum News 1.