Published: October 07, 2009 07:56 am      

Give Kids A Smile program kicks off

Students receive toothbrush kit and learn about dental hygiene

TRAVERSE CITY -- A happy child with a healthy smile is the goal of Traverse Bay Give Kids A Smile.

The program, operated by Traverse Health Clinic in partnership with Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District, provides classroom dental education and oral screenings to children in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. Parents give permission for their child to receive a basic dental screening and a Dental Report Card and Parent Resource Letter is sent home. Every student receives a toothbrush kit containing toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss.

"We have had students tell us they either don't have a toothbrush or that they share one with a brother or sister," said Sherri Fenton, development director of the Traverse Health Clinic.

This year, Tom's Food Markets is helping provide those needed toothbrushes as well as toothpaste and floss with in-store donation sites. Customers can purchase oral hygiene supplies and drop them in

collection boxes to be distributed in dental care kits to each visited classroom.

"There is a huge need out there for dental care and education," said Fenton, who plans to target some 2,000 children in first- and third-grade with the program that relies on volunteer hygienists and dentists to provide care.

Last year volunteer hygienists in some counties found 40 percent of children had obvious cavities or signs of needing immediate care. The average for the five county area was 25 percent of all students needed immediate care.

"When a problem is found, we send home a referral to their parents and information about where they can find appropriate care," said Rene Louchart, dental health director at Traverse Health Clinic.

Visits will be made beginning this month, National Dental Hygiene Month and will continue through February. Donations will be accepted at Tom's Food Markets through October 14.

In celebration of National Dental Hygiene Month, the Traverse Health Clinic and Northland Dental Hygienists' Society will hold a Matinee Dental Day event at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 at the State Theatre in downtown Traverse City.

The family feature film "Enchanted" will be presented for 25 cents per person. Free tooth care kits, purchased with funds donated by the Traverse City Rotary Club's Good Works Fund Grant, will be given to children and adults following the movie. Traverse Health Clinic staff will be on hand to answer questions about how to obtain dental care for families, regardless of income.