Local dentists give kids, parents reason to smile – The Philadelphia Tribune – March 20, 2015

Local dentists in West Philadelphia and Delaware County will provide free basic dental work to children during an event intended to help uninsured and under-insured families receive preventative care, officials said.

The Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), a nonprofit group that advocates for health, education and family issues, will sponsor the 12th annual event, Give Kids a Smile Day, which runs from March 30 to April 3.

Twelve dentist offices are participating in the program that provides exams, cleanings and other dental care needs without normal charges. Families will be assisted in enrolling in public health insurance programs such as Medicaid for low-income households and the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP.

Since making its 2003 debut, 2,500 children have received free dental care as part of the Give Kids A Smile Day. Frank Mulbah, who took his daughter to last year’s event, said his family would not have enrolled in dental insurance had it not been for the Give Kids a Smile Day. During the dental visit, he saw that his daughter was placed on a regular schedule for preventative dental care.

“Tooth decay is the number one disease children face, and we work with our partners to fight back with a free week of care,” Colleen McCauley, health policy director for PCCY, said in a statement. “Our goal is to help put smiles on more kids’ faces and make sure they get health coverage so they can receive regular dental check-ups.”

Cheryl A. Janssen, CEO and executive director of Kids Smiles, said, “We are thrilled to be a part of Give Kids a Smile Day and help more children live healthy so they can live, play and grow up healthy.”

Families interested in attending this year’s event can schedule an appointment by visiting www.childrenfirstpa.org/smileday, or calling (215) 563-5848, extension 32.


The Philadelphia Tribune – March 20, 2015 – Read article online