The Health Wagon and Mountain Empire Community College to Host “Give Kids A Smile® Program” at Norton Elementary Middle School Feb. 17
(Wise, Va.) — The Health Wagon welcomes the Give Kids A Smile® program to Norton Elementary Middle School Tuesday, February 17 from 8 am to 3 pm. Children will receive free dental screenings and dental care as part of the Give Kids A Smile® program, an ADA program that brings dentists and other volunteers together to provide screenings, treatments and education to underserved children throughout the United States.
“Give Kids A Smile® has two purposes — helping children get the dental care they so desperately need and raising awareness that our children deserve a better health care system that addresses their dental health,” said Dr. Amanda Stroud, DMD, at the Owens and Hill Clinic at The Health Wagon’s Smiddy Medical Complex in Wise. “We will be doing screenings and fluoride treatments in partnership with Mountain Empire Community College Dental Assisting program.”
Dr. Stroud said every child will be sent home with a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. A drawing will be held for one name per grade to win an Oral B electric toothbrush out of all the students who participate.
“Mountain Empire’s Dental Assistant Program started the first Give Kids A Smile® program in Southwest Virginia four years ago with the help of The Health Wagon,” said Dr. Emily Bowen, Program Director of the MECC Dental Assistant program. “While this is a national initiative, it had never been hosted in our region before. Now, it is an annual event our students and staff look forward to every February, and we’re excited to join Health Wagon again this year for this important cause.”
“It’s exciting to see children getting desperately needed care to improve their health but heartbreaking that they aren’t able to receive dental care without charity. Sadly, this isn’t the only community or age group where individuals face barriers to care – this is a larger issue that both children and adults in Virginia and beyond face,” said Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson, DNP, FNP-BC, President and CEO of The Health Wagon.
The causes of this dental crisis are varied and complex and will only get worse without a complete set of solutions. For example, the Medicaid system that serves many of State’s citizens is underfunded and needs to be addressed and too many people seek out treatment for dental pain in the emergency room instead of a dentist’s chair. These are problems we can address now.
Our state lawmakers have an opportunity to work alongside Virginia dentists to advance solutions that will help ensure all Virginians are able to get the dental care they need when they need it.
The ADA’s Action for Dental Health is a nationwide, community-based movement designed to address the dental health crisis we are facing by providing care now, strengthening the safety net and bringing disease prevention and education into communities.
Parents Roles in Dental Disease Prevention:
• It is encouraged that parents and caregivers develop an oral care regimen that includes healthy food and beverage choices, good home care routines (including fluoride), and regular dental visits, resulting in habits that could help to wipe out dental disease in this county.
• Oral health is integral to overall health. Untreated dental disease is painful and affects a child’s physical, emotional and social development. Kids with untreated dental decay can’t
eat or sleep properly; they can’t concentrate in school, not to mention how it affects them emotionally.
• Dental disease is preventable and it starts with access and education. Ultimately, the money spent on the prevention of dental disease saves a lot more money down the road in dental treatment.
Pediatric patients are always welcome at the Owens and Hill Dental Health Clinic in Wise. To make an appointment for dental care at the clinic, please call 276-221-6055.
Photo Caption:
A special moment from The Health Wagon’s 2024 Give Kids a Smile pediatric event—featuring a Virginia Commonwealth University dental student providing a dental check for one of our young patients and helping us bring compassionate, preventive care to children in our community.
Health Wagon, MECC offer free dental care for kids in Norton – Coalfield Progress