Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2017 05 Kool Smiles Thumb
Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2017 05 Kool Smiles Thumb
Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2017 05 Kool Smiles Thumb
Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2017 05 Kool Smiles Thumb
Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2017 05 Kool Smiles Thumb

Annual 'Sharing Smiles Day' from Kool Smiles offers free dental care for children

May 9, 2017
This is the third annual event to be sponsored by Kool Smiles. Children nationwide can receive free dental care on May 21 from hundreds of volunteer dental professionals.

This is the third annual event to be sponsored by Kool Smiles. Children nationwide can receive free dental care on May 21 from hundreds of volunteer dental professionals.

Hundreds of volunteer dentists and staff throughout the country will provide free dental care to children in need on Sunday, May 21 during the third annual Sharing Smiles Day, a free dental care day exclusively for children from national dental provider Kool Smiles.

More than 700 dentists and volunteer staff members from 43 Kool Smiles offices in 12 states will open their doors to children in need, offering free services and treatments that include dental exams, limited emergency care, extractions, and restorative care. The free care day is open to all uninsured and underinsured children up to 18 years of age, and treatment offerings will be determined by the dentist.

“While Kool Smiles is proud to improve children’s access to dental care by accepting insurance plans like Medicaid and TRICARE, we know there are many parents throughout the country who struggle to afford quality dental care for their children,” said Dr. Dale Mayfield, Chief Dental Officer for Kool Smiles. “Sharing Smiles Day is an opportunity for Kool Smiles dentists and staff members to reach out to community members in need and help more children receive vital dental care treatments and services.”

Dental care will be provided to children up to 18 years of age at participating Kool Smiles offices throughout the country. Online registration is recommended in advance and treatment will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The Kool Smiles website provides more information on the Sharing Smiles free care day, including how to register, participating office locations, and available treatments. To register a child for the free dental care day, visit mykoolsmiles.com/sharingsmiles.

“Children who do not have regular access to a dentist often have advanced dental decay and their treatment needs can be significant,” continued Dr. Mayfield. “If left untreated, dental decay can lead to pain, difficulty eating, speaking and sleeping, and more serious infections, some of which can be life threatening. It is important for children to see a dentist regularly for preventive care, before tooth decay has a chance to do lasting damage.”

Now in its third year, Sharing Smiles Day has helped more than 900 children receive needed dental care at no cost since the program launched in 2015. Sharing Smiles Day is sponsored by the Benevis Foundation and made possible by the volunteer efforts of more than 400 Kool Smiles dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, office managers, clinical team leads, and other staff members.

For the most current dental headlines, click here.