Give Kids A Smile Program

by Jeff Dalin, DDS

The American Dental Association’s Give Kids A Smile Program has kicked off its second decade of work by teaming with 3M ESPE, Henry Schein Cares, the ADA Foundation, and the Virginia Dental Association by taking the message of good oral health to the Richmond International Raceway during its recent NASCAR race weekend on April 27-28.

Jeff Dalin, DDS, (left) readies for the GKAS event as NASCAR driver Greg Biffle settles into the chair.

Volunteer dentists, dental team members, dental students, dental hygiene students, and employees of Henry Schein, the ADA, and 3M ESPE provided around 320 underserved children free dental examinations, fluoride varnish treatments, as-needed dental sealants, and oral hygiene instruction. Each child also received lunch, a backpack, a T-shirt, and a tour of the track.

The 10th Anniversary ADA Give Kids A Smile Logo once again adorned the hood of the number 16 3M ESPE race car. Around 2,400 oral health kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and instruction cards) were distributed to race fans over the two-day period. Driver Greg Biffle has continued to work with the Give Kids A Smile program by filming a public service announcement for the ADA as well as making a recent appearance at an elementary school in Charlotte, N.C.

Feel free to visit www.ada.org/givekids asmile.aspx to learn how to get involved with Give Kids A Smile or contact your local or state dental association.