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Feb. 4 was a historic day for Clubs in Georgia, as Boys & Girls Clubs of America teamed up with Crest Healthy Smiles 2010 and the Georgia Dental Association to provide free dental screenings for Club members across the state. This unprecedented effort was launched in celebration of Give Kids A Smile Day, an annual dental access event created by the American Dental Association. The partnership was the brainchild of Marie Schweinebraten, DMD, an Atlanta periodontist, past president of the Georgia Dental Association and a member of the Crest Healthy Smiles 2010 advisory committee. "Sadly, many children across the state of Georgia do not have regular access to dental care and services," says Schweinebraten. "By combining the resources and efforts of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Crest Healthy Smiles 2010 and the Georgia Dental Association, we were able to serve a large number of children in need, and establish relationships that can continue to provide Georgia's children with access to oral health care, now and in the future. We further hope this initiative can serve as a model for states all across the country to follow." The event marked one of the many ways that BGCA, through its partnership with Crest Healthy Smiles 2010, has responded to a "call to action" by former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher in his 2000 report, Oral Health in America. The report cited a "silent epidemic" of dental and oral diseases affecting America's youth, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances. Other BGCA-Crest Healthy Smiles 2010 oral health initiatives include the popular Cavity-Free Zone curriculum and Crest Smile Shoppes (on-site dental clinics in eight Clubs across the country).
The day was a great success and far exceeded BGCA's goals. Almost every Club organization in Georgia participated in the initiative, providing more than 2,000 Club members with dental screenings, oral health education and Crest products. In fact, many Georgia Clubs used the event to kick off a month-long – and, in some cases, year-long – series of health programs and events. More than 75 Georgia Dental Association member dentists, numerous dental hygienists and other oral health-care professionals generously volunteered their time to conduct screenings and provide education. "This Give Kids A Smile Day event gave the Georgia dental community an opportunity to give their time to a most worthy cause – providing free access to dental care for underserved children," says Dr. Edward Green, president of the Georgia Dental Association. "Events such as these help us in our quest to raise awareness about the importance of good oral health." The initiative also received attention from prominent local leaders, including Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, who made a special appearance at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta's event. In addition, with help from BGCA's Office of Government Relations, the three partners were able to secure a proclamation from Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue designating Feb. 4, 2005, as Give Kids A Smile Day.
The signature event for the effort took place at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta's George Washington Carver unit. In addition to dental screenings, Club members were treated to healthy snacks, as well as special visits from a face painter and Geena the Giraffe, the mascot for Crest Healthy Smiles 2010. Parents attending the event had the opportunity to speak with representatives from a local medical center about affordable health-care options for their families. Personalities from local radio station V103 FM were also on hand to bring energy and excitement to the day. Smile Masters in Augusta The Boys & Girls Clubs of Augusta's E. W. Hagler unit went all out for Give Kids A Smile Day, coordinating a major health carnival and inspiring the community to get involved. Carnival highlights included a nutritionist from the Richmond County Health Department who conducted sessions on healthy eating habits and the effects those habits have on oral health, and a Youth Forum, sponsored by the Augusta-Richmond County Community Partnership. Topics discussed at the forum focused on oral health, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and risky behaviors. "The Give Kids A Smile Day partnership helped our Club begin the process of developing relationships with local dentists," says Gary Winferry, director of operations for Boys & Girls Clubs of Augusta. "Our goal is to continue to work with them throughout the year to provide ongoing dental services to Club members." back to top |
