Dentists to Participate in Give Kids a Smile Free Dental Event in February and March

A total of 20 north central Idaho dentists will provide free oral health exams, cleanings and x-rays to area children in February and March as part of the Give Kids a Smile event in association with National Children’s Oral Health Month.

The event is sponsored by the Regence Caring Foundation for Children, Public Health – Idaho North Central District and Delta Dental and is open to those in kindergarten through 6th grade without dental insurance. Those interested in receiving care are asked to contact individual dental offices to make appointments (see dates, dentists and numbers below).

The entire list of participating dentists, dates of participation (where available) and contact numbers for appointments for north central Idaho is also available on the Regence Caring Foundation for Children Web site at www.caringfoundationforchildren.org in the News & Media section.

“Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease,” said Kathy Ellis, Idaho director of the Regence Caring Foundation for Children. “Studies indicate the oral health problem in our nation is serious, sometimes causing overall long-term health issues. We’re trying to remedy this widespread problem with preventive procedures early in life. We want to help kids become healthy, strong members of our communities.”

Ellis said the Foundation partners with more than 150 dentists in Idaho, as well as with health departments and schools, to reach children whose health could be threatened for a lifetime from the complications of poor dental care in childhood.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, left untreated dental disease threatens to rob a child of much more than a smile, with far-reaching results such as:

• School absenteeism
• Weight loss
• Poor self-esteem
• Speech impediments
• Life-threatening infections
• Costly emergency room visits

“Because positive first impressions are often made with a smile, it is the Regence Caring Foundation for Children’s goal that every child has a healthy smile,” Ellis said. “Being able to reach and treat children who otherwise might go without dental care gives us something to smile about. Our ultimate goal is that those kids will be able to smile along with us.”

More information about the Regence Caring Foundation for Children is available by calling toll-free 1-866-938-0084.

About the Regence Caring Foundation for Children

The Regence Caring Foundation for Children, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides free dental care to eligible children in Idaho. It is sponsored and administered by Regence BlueShield of Idaho and has provided thousands of children with free dental care. Participating dentists provide dental services to eligible children at reduced rates. The Foundation is funded through tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporations, civic groups, churches and other foundations. Contributions to help those children in need can be sent to Regence Caring Foundation for Children at P.O. Box 2560; Boise, ID 83701. For more information, visit our Web site at www.caringfoundationforchildren.org.