From left to right, BCC's dental hygiene faculty member Deborah Myers, BCC dental hygiene student and 2012 Tooth Fairy at Give Kids a Smile! day Maria Pilch, and BCC's Director of Dental Hygiene Linda Hecker at this year's Give Kids a Smile! day at BCC's Pemberton campus.
Linda Hecker, Burlington County College’s (BCC) director of dental hygiene, was recently selected as one of 11 state-wide volunteers to receive the inaugural New Jersey Give Kids a Smile! Pioneer Award. The Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) Pioneer Award will be an annual award bestowed upon individuals who have gone above and beyond in their program volunteerism and have contributed greatly to the growth, marketing and planning of GKAS since its inception 10 years ago.
Part of the American Dental Association’s (ADA) annual push to bring attention to the number one childhood disease, tooth decay, the annual Give Kids a Smile! event in February is the largest nationally organized free health care day in America. BCC, which is based in Pemberton, N.J., has consistently performed among the top contributors in the state, and New Jersey is ranked second in the nation with California only slightly ahead in the numbers of children served.
Hecker has helped organize the event at BCC for the past eight years. Since 2005, BCC’s dental hygiene program has donated $468,912 worth of care to nearly 1,000 patients on Give Kids a Smile! day. Children in need receive fillings, extractions, fluoride treatments, and as many dental procedures as can be provided in one visit. BCC’s dental hygiene students and instructors, as well as volunteer local health care professionals, provide free preventive and emergency dental care and, if necessary, make referrals for continuing treatment for needy children ages 12 and under.
“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized by New Jersey Dental Association and its GKAS Planning Committee,” Hecker said. “I’m very fortunate to have the support of so many generous BCC dental hygiene alum, students, instructors and volunteer dentists, who come together to help give back to the local community. Local businesses and corporations donate food, dental supplies and entertainment to make the day really special for both the volunteers and our patients. Give Kids a Smile! day touches the lives of so many of New Jersey’s children who need oral health care, but cannot afford it. We are proud to be a part of it.”
This year’s event was held on Feb. 3 and benefitted 105 children. BCC volunteers performed a total of 913 procedures worth almost $55,000. The 2013 Give Kids a Smile! day will be held on Feb. 1.
More than 5 million children in the nation have received free dental care since Give Kids a Smile! began in 2003. The program is managed by the NJDA locally, and nationally by the American Dental Association, Henry Schein, Inc. and Colgate. Locally, Delta Dental of New Jersey is a key partner and sponsor. Information on the program can be obtained in both English and Spanish at www.njda.org/gkas.
