Give Kids A Smile

“Give Kids A Smile” (GKAS) is a national event held in conjunction with Children’s Dental Health Month each February. It is sponsored by the American Dental Association and its constituent dental societies. The purpose is to offer complimentary needed dental care to children who otherwise do not have access to good dental care.

Locally, the North Texas Dental Society and its member-dentists have undertaken the responsibility to care for these children in our community. Dr. Tim Shannon and the staff of Shannon DentalCare are among those who have volunteered their offices and services for this worthy cause. On Saturday, February 18, 2006, we provided much-needed dental treatment to several children who have not been able to receive regular dental care. These children were chosen in cooperation with local school nurses who recommended them for the GKAS event.

Our office began with a complete dental evaluation of each child we saw for treatment. They received additional dental services including teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and needed dental fillings. Every child was sent home with a dental gift pack including a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental guides to assist them with their home care. We want these children to be up-to-date with their dental health and able to maintain good health thereafter.

We had two special guests that day. Mayor Pro Tem and Councilman Brian Loughmiller, who serves the constituents of the Fourth District of the City of McKinney, came to express his interest and encourage our efforts towards helping the under served citizens of our community. Magda Rodriguez, who along with other members of her family receives routine dental care in our office, translated for those families who speak only Spanish. Additionally, Market Street, located at El Dorado Parkway and Ridge Road, generously supplied food trays so we could work straight through lunch and provide as much treatment as possible.

As many as 800 school children throughout North Texas received dental care this year. Services amounting to thousands of dollars worth of care were donated to these children. Studies show that toothaches and other dental problems are responsible for much school absenteeism. Organized dentistry is committed to doing what it can to help provide children in need with access to dental care. Community-based efforts such as GKAS, Texas Dentists for Healthy Smiles, and the Rite to Smile events are much better equipped to address this need than any government program. Dr. Shannon and the member-dentists of the North Texas Dental Society are determined to be in the forefront of healthcare in serving the underprivileged in our communities.