2008 Give Kids A Smile

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                          Honorary Chair Persons

Senator Florence Shapiro

http://www.shapiro.senate.state.tx.us/#

Representative Ken Paxton

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist70/paxton.htm

Representative Jodie Laubenberg

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist89/laubenberg.htm

-It is that time again.  We first want to thank everyone for participating in the 2007 event as we were able to provide over $160,000 in free dental care LOCALLY to children in need!  THANK YOU!!! 

-2008’s event is quickly approaching!  We intend to expand our reach into more communities and provide needed care to 300 children.  The talents and skills of all our member-doctors, including specialists, are essential for success.  WE NEED YOUR HELP!  Read on to see how the 2008 GKAS will impact your communities and neighbors because of your dedication to this worthy cause.

WHAT:         National “Give Kids A Smile” event in conjunction with National Dental Health Month, an annual event for the past 5 years providing dental screening and treatment  for the underserved children of North Texas.

WHO:           As many as 300 underserved children in the North Texas Dental Society communities ranging in age from 4-12 years of age.  Children will be selected by their school nurses according to the following criteria:

• Children with known absences from school or seen by the nurse due to dental-related health problems;
• Children without regular dental care and/or showing obvious dental disease but not receiving dental care due to financial limitations (enrolled in school reduced-fare meal plan program).

WHEN:         February, in conjunction with the National GKAS day and National Dental Health Month.

WHERE:      Treatment to be provided in the comfort of your private office with the help of your personal staff.  Many underserved children are Spanish speaking and have parents that only speak Spanish.  It is suggested that someone be available to translate as needed (parents are instructed to provide an adult translator but do not always comply).  Volunteers can be recruited from your patient-base or we can assist in providing one.  Please do not let the language issue deter you from participating.

Participating member-doctors are asked to provide dental services to no more than 10 children.  Every consideration will be given to pairing children from each local community with a local doctor.  Once assigned, your office will provide screening and treatment as needed.  Dental specialists will provide specialty care as recommended by the primary general dentists.  Each doctor has complete discretion as to how much or how little treatment each patient is to receive.  Emphasis should be placed on urgent care and preventative services.  Comprehensive care is not required, but encouraged.

“Give Kids a Smile” is a signature cause of the North Texas Dental Society.

More participation means greater impact in the communities we serve.  It also means we ease the responsibilities placed on our friends and colleagues in the dental community.  By your action, your neighbors will know that where there is a health care need, organized dentistry is prepared to lead the way.

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa McLerran at

214-708-6919.  Email inquiries may be directed to gkas_1@yahoo.com.