NEWBERG, Oregon--As many as 120 underserved children ages 6 to 15 received free dental care at a recent Christina's Smile Children's Dental Clinic visit to Oregon in August.
The visit highlighted Christina's Smile's newest self-contained mobile dental treatment facility outfitted by A dec and other partners in the cities of Newberg and Beaverton and Newberg, Ore., where A-dec is based.
Underprivileged children often lack adequate access to healthcare, and dental care in particular. The costs often prohibit such families from receiving comprehensive dental care except through free clinics, or other such programs like Christina's Smile.
A-dec has supported the Christina's Smile program since 1998, and has contributed both monetary donations and dental equipment to help meet the program's needs.
The newest 53 foot trailer features three fully equipped state-of-the-art operatories with A-dec 500® chairs and delivery systems, digital monitor mounts, operatory lighting, A-dec Preference® cabinetry, sterilization equipment, chairs and stools.
"This program shows dentistry at its best and we are honored to be part of it," said Scott Parrish, A-dec President. "Studies show that children with poor oral health often don't do as well in school due to the painful distractions of tooth and gum disease. Unfortunately, the high cost of health care makes it impossible for most impoverished families to receive the care they need."
Local dentists, hygienists and dental assistants volunteered to offer dental care from the mobile facility, providing cleanings, sealants, fillings, crowns, root canal treatments and extractions, as needed. Approximately $70,000 to $80,000 worth of dentistry is delivered during each Christina's Smile 3-day clinic across the U.S.
Dr. Richard Garza, who treated underprivileged children in his Austin, Texas, dental practice for years, developed Christina's Smile Children's Dental Clinic in 1989.
The program has provided more than $14 million worth of dental care at no cost to more than 36,000 children since its inception. In 2007, clinics will treat approximately 2,400 children, providing more than $1 million worth of dental care to children who would not otherwise receive the care they so desperately need.
For more information about Christina's Smile, visit www.csmile.com or contact Dr. Richard Garza at (512) 335.1445.
