Founded in 1892, the Seattle-King County Dental Society (SKCDS) is the non-profit, local component of the Washington State Dental Association and American Dental Association serving almost 1,600 member dentists and the general public in King County. SKCDS works to enhance access to dental care and to promote the highest level of oral health for the citizens of King County.
In observance of National Children's Dental Health Month in February, SKCDS, partnering with the Washington Dental Service Foundation, Bartell Drugs, Crest and the Seattle Department of Park's and Recreation provided the funds and volunteers for a yearly event that provides dental care information, and fun, for children and their families. At the event, the children are offered a dental assessment at no charge.
This year's 27th annual Give Kids A Smile Day was held on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Rainier Community Center located at 4600 38th Ave. S. Dentists offered free dental and orthodontic screenings to children from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the Washington Dental Service Foundation Smile Mobile van providing the necessary equipment along with goody bags of dental care items and educational brochures for maintaining good dental health. Arrangements were also made for follow up dental care, and financial assistance with the resulting costs.
After a general talk about dental education to both the parents and children, featuring translators for the diverse participants who attended, there were various hands on exhibits that addressed topics such as the importance of proper nutrition along with fun events to help teach the science of dental health. Children were also offered face painting, thumb impressions for identification purposes, and received stickers, posters, bookmarks and other fun prizes. The Rainier Community Center provided free pizza and ice cream as their contribution for day's events. There was also an appearance by Harry the University of Washington's husky mascot.
"We want to say a big thank you to the over 100 volunteers for our Give Kids A Smile Day," said Jennifer L. Freimund, event coordinator and executive director of the Seattle King County Dental Society.
The volunteers included dentists, hygienists, dental assisting students, University of Washington dental students, and staff from several dental health organizations from around the Seattle area.
"Despite the best efforts of the community center, mailings to churches and community gathering points (like libraries), and mailings to schools, we were somewhat disappointed at the low number of children who turned out for the event," Freimond said. "We had hoped that since it was our second year, combined with increased publicity, such as multi-lingual posters sent out, we would see a larger turnout. Given the low attendance, we are brainstorming for next year's event about how we can best reach the children in the immigrant and low-income communities. We know they have the need. We just have to figure out how to reach them.
"We hope that with more community effort, interest and support, along with a better solution for getting the information out through the appropriate channels, making it possible for us to continue to reach children in need of better dental care," Freimond concluded.
For additional information, visit www.skcds.org or call Jennifer Freimund at 206.443.7607 or e-mail at jennifer@skcds.com.
Sherry A. Cochran may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.[[In-content Ad]]