As I child, I was always so excited to go the dentist. Abnormal and weird, I know, but I loved getting those little goodie bags filled with miniature toothpaste, floss, brush, and stickers! Aside from looking forward to getting a dental exam, most of you probably had similar experiences. As Americans, we are privileged to have the best dental care in the world. Yet according to the American Dental Association, an estimated 4.3 million children, aged 2 to 17, have unmet dental needs in our country because their families can’t afford health care.
Fortunately, our great country also loves to dedicate certain months to causes and people. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and many dental care providers are offering free dental screenings for children all month long. The ADA’s Give Kids a Smile program, extends free screening offers at many locations throughout the year. Check their website (www.ada.com) to see if there’s a dentist near you who’s offering free screenings for your child.
