MEDIA RELEASE I January 31, 2022
Media Contacts:
Alison Clark, Communications Specialist
aclark@miottawa.org | 616 494-5597
Andrea Whittaker, RDH, MPA, Oral Health Team Supervisor
awhittaker@miottawa.org | 616 494-5540
Give Kids a Smile Day to be held in Ottawa County on February 4 at the Holland Language Academy
(HOLLAND, MI.) - On Friday, February 4, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) will participate in Give Kids a Smile Day at the Holland Language Academy. Held annually on the first Friday of February during National Children's Dental Health Month, Give Kids a Smile Day provides underserved children with free oral health care at events across the United States. The event also raises awareness about the number of children with unmet dental needs and the obstacles they face when seeking dental care.
In Ottawa County, Dr. Scott VanSlambrouck will volunteer his day and provide comprehensive dental services on the OCDPH Miles of Smiles mobile dental unit for Medicaid insured and financially qualifying uninsured children at the school. In addition, every child at the Holland Language Academy will receive an oral health gift bag complete with a toothbrush, toothpaste and oral health education materials to take home to parents.
Pain from untreated dental disease makes it difficult for children to eat, sleep, and concentrate in school. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services[1], 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned, emergency dental care.
"We know that poor dental health can affect nearly every aspect of a child's life, from academic achievement to other health-related issues and even self-confidence," said Andrea Whittaker, Oral Health Supervisor. "With the generosity and collaboration of our volunteer dental professionals and community partners, the Miles of Smiles program increases access to oral health care to at-risk children who wouldn't otherwise have access to care. Give Kids a Smile Day is an additional opportunity for us to bring these services to children in our community."
Partners of the Miles of Smiles program working to improve the health of children include dentist and hygienist volunteers, school administrators, dental society members, community members and donors, Ottawa County Administration, and the Ottawa County Department of Public Health.
If your child is Medicaid-insured or without dental insurance and in need of dental care, please call 616 393-5694 to see if your child qualifies for Miles of Smiles dental services.
Learn more about Miles of Smiles here, or visit miottawa.org/dental.
[1] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 2018 National Health Expenditure Data. NHE Tables; Table 12
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