Smile Education Day to reach more than 15,000 kids

Before lunchtime on Wednesday, UB dental faculty and students will visit nearly 15,000 children in more than 100 schools across Western New York as part of the 23rd annual Smile Education Day.

Organized by the UB Smile Team and School of Dental Medicine, the event teaches children about the importance of dental hygiene, proper nutrition and the effects of sugar, and the connection between oral hygiene and overall health.

Hundreds of dentists, hygienists, dental assistants and dental students from UB and the local community will visit students in grades three through five to deliver oral health presentations and offer career guidance on becoming a dentist.

This year, the program will expand to include more than 400 3- and 4-year-olds attending Holy Cross Head Start preschool programs. Dental residents also will travel to Burgard Vocational High School to create custom mouth guards for student athletes.

“As a profession, we are doing a good job of educating people on the benefits of practicing good oral hygiene," says Joseph Zambon, interim dean of the School of Dental Medicine. "As a result, adults are keeping their teeth longer than ever before. It starts with early intervention and education about the benefits of proper oral hygiene, nutrition and the impact excessive amounts of sugar have on a person’s oral health and systemic well-being. I’m proud to see our faculty, students and staff lead this charge.”

Smile Education Day, which coincides with Children’s National Dental Health Month, is one of more than 400 community outreach events the UB Smile Team participates in each year.