New Jersey's underprivileged children to receive free dental care
The New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) and the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) are joining forces to offer free dental care to underprivileged children on Feb. 2, 2005, as part of the Give Kids A Smile! (GKAS) National Children's Dental Access Day. The one-day event is part of the national month-long Children's Dental Health Month.
Dentists, hygienists and dental assistants are volunteering their time that day to perform a wide range of dental services to children ages 12 and under at nearly 20 sites throughout the state. Last February, in New Jersey, nearly 2,000 children visited 15 sites, identified primarily by UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School.
The GKAS program, headed in New Jersey by Statewide Chairman Dr. Cavan Brunsden, a pediatric dentist in Old Bridge, NJ, is in its third year. It began as a national initiative to bring healthy smiles to children who otherwise would not have access to dental care.
Parents, schools and community groups will be able to register their children for this program by calling the participating sites. A preliminary list of sites can be obtained at www.njda.org/gkas or via the GKAS hotline (888) 576-9278.
In addition, information about the program is being distributed to schools, Head Starts, youth groups, and religious organizations throughout the state.
