Seventh Annual "Give Kids a Smile" Day Set for Feb. 6

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Children from across Western New York who don't have access to dental care will receive free treatment Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine's seventh annual "Give Kids a Smile" day.

Students from Buffalo public high schools and elementary schools plus children from local head start centers will be bused to UB, where they will receive a dental exam, fluoride treatment, x-rays, sealant and oral hygiene instruction.

They will leave the clinic with a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss and instructions on how to keep their teeth healthy. Limited restorative dental work will be available, as well as additional treatment or consultation as needed.

Tours of the dental clinics, hands-on activities, dental videos and oral hygiene instruction for parents and children also will be offered.

Parents can call 861-3593 to schedule an appointment.

More than 200 volunteers, including UB dental school faculty, staff and students; private dentists and their staff, and students and faculty from Erie Community College's Dental Hygiene Program and Equal Opportunity Center's Dental Assisting Program, will help keep the day running smoothly.

The Buffalo event is part of a national effort to encourage children to adopt good dental health habits early on, so they can avoid major problems later.

The event is a partnership with the American Dental Association, Patterson Dental, Crest Health Smiles 2010, Sullivan Schein -- a major dental supply company, and the 8th District Dental Society.

The UB dental school is located on UB's South (Main Street) Campus. It is one of five schools, along with the schools of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Public Health and Health Professions, that comprise UB's Academic Health Center.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.