Southeast Idaho Public Health wants to ‘Give Kids a Smile’ with free day of dental care
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POCATELLO – There are a limited number of appointments available for a public health district’s day of free dental care for kids.
Southeast Idaho Public Health (SIPH) will hold “Give Kids a Smile” for families with limited or no access to insurance. It’s happening Saturday at the ISU Dental Hygiene Clinic at 999 Martin Luther King Drive.
“When (children) come to ‘Give Kids a Smile,’ not only are they getting these valuable services, but (also) the education that we provide,” said SIPH dental hygienist April Sluder.
Held every year for over a decade, SIPH offers around 100 appointment slots every year. As of Monday afternoon, they only had 25 to 30 slots still available.
This free day of dental care is held in partnership with the Idaho State University Dental Hygiene Department, Pocatello Family Dentistry, and area dentists to give kids from preschool to 8th grade a dental exam, a cleaning and sealants if needed.
Children who are found to have cavities are referred to a dentist to have those filled, also for free.
“We’ve had some kids in the past that needed a lot of care,” Sluder said.
In one instance, a child needed $5,000 worth of dental care, and a local dentist volunteered time and labor to do that for her.
While “Give Kids a Smile” is a national event started by the American Dental Association in 2003, not every public health district offers a free day of dental care. Some districts prioritize education about dental care, but Sluder said SIPH is able to offer both by holding a free day of dental care.
“Not only are (children) getting these valuable services, but the education that we provide,” Sluder said. “We show them how to brush their teeth, how to floss their teeth, we talk about bacteria and their relationship with cavities and how they can even share that bacteria with siblings and friends,” Sluder said.
The most common chronic childhood disease found in children is tooth decay, according to SIPH, which can lead to problems with eating, speaking and learning. And Sluder pointed out that tooth decay is a preventable disease.
Preventing tooth decay helps children not just in the present, but also in their future.
“I always want kids to have a happy and healthy smile, and I really think that helps them show confidence and success throughout their lifetime,” Sluder said. “This program can really help kids get that confidence and really be able to smile and feel good about it.”
“Give Kids a Smile” will start at 9 a.m. and go until 1 p.m. Space is limited, so people who would like to bring their kids should call (208) 239-5256.