Dentists in Minnesota will offer free dental care to children in need on February 7 and 8. The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) has more than 1,200 dental professionals volunteering at nearly a hundred clinics across the state for Give Kids A Smile.
Appointments can be booked now. Patients can find a clinic with open appointments by calling United Way 211, dialing 2-1-1, or by visiting mndental.org. Appointments then can be scheduled directly with the dental office.
Patients must be 18 years old or younger and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Specific services provided at each location will be outlines when an appointment is scheduled. Volunteers speaking multiple languages also will be available at many locations.
The MDA notes that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children and adolescents, with nearly one in five children between the ages of 5 and 11 with untreated cavities in their baby teeth.
Also, the MDA says, more than half of Minnesota children enrolled in Medicaid have not received dental services in the past year, with the situation made worse with Minnesota’s ranking among the lowest in the nation for reimbursement of government dental program fees.
Minnesota dentists have provided free care to more than 78,000 children and donated services valued at more than $23 million over the past 17 years to Give Kids A Smile. The public also can help by texting Smile25 to 20222 to make a donation of $25.
Related Articles
Give Kids A Smile Instills Dental Hygiene Students With a Dedication to Community Service
Dental Educational Resources Available for Family Physicians
MDS Foundation Awards Six Grants to Improve Access to Care
