Free Health And Dental Screenings Event For Children And Parents

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By Kelli Hewett Taylor

Dozens of parents and children lined up early Saturday for free child health screenings at the Fairground Complex.

Wanda Harris of West End, her daughter, Nakell, 3, and her son, Joshua, 15, were among those there before the doors opened, relieved for the chance to get free children’s health and dental screenings. It was their second year to attend the event, “Take a Child to the Doctor Day.”

“I’m here to get the different exams the kids need, that I can’t afford,” said Harris, who has no health insurance. “It feels great not to have a bill coming in the mailbox.”

Katherine Robinson of McCalla agreed.

“It’s a positive for parents, especially like me – I’m out of work,” said Robinson, a real estate agent hit hard by the housing slowdown. “My daughter is sick right now and you have to worry how you are going to pay the medical bills. It’s a choice between gas, food and paying the bills to keep the lights on.”

The fourth annual children’s health event was sponsored by the city of Birmingham’s Division of Youth Services, in cooperation with health care professionals from UAB, Children’s Hospital and the Jefferson County Department of Health.

Organizers were expecting at least 1,000 participants Saturday. Last year, about 800 people took part.

“Health insurance isn’t accessible to a lot of children,” said Yoshia Dennis-Griggs, a dental hygienist for the county’s health department. “This is a way we can see a lot of kids, then refer them to our other offices.”

Dennis-Griggs said follow-up appointments cost as little as $10 for a exam to $20 for a filling, based on a family’s income.

Residents were able to sign up for Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford’s children’s health insurance program.

Other services offered Saturday included blood pressure, glucose, body mass index and vision screenings. Organizers are emphasizing preventive care.

“We have had calls from all over the state about this,” said Cedric Sparks, executive director of youth services. “There’s no other concerted effort for children’s health like this here. We don’t turn anyone away.”

Source: http://www.al.com/news/