Kootenai kids are smiling
<p>Kami Nielsen, dental hygienist for Avondale Dental Center, cleans the teeth of five-year-old Jacob Osterdock Friday during the Give Kids a Smile Day. The event, in its ninth year, offers tens of thousands of dollars worth of dental work to uninsured children at no cost each year.</p>
<p>Dylan Grubar, 5, lays back and enjoys the warm lights as volunteer dental hygienist Bethany Wise prepares the dental floss.</p>
Dirne Community Health Center's participation in a national Give Kids A Smile Day on Friday provided free dental exams and cleanings to more than 70 children.
Henry Shine and Colgate paired up with the American Dental Association to provide these services throughout the nation this week.
"We had three times the kids this year compared to last," said Dr. Justin Rader, director of Dirne Dental. "This is our third year with Give Kids a Smile, and I think families are more aware of the resources the community has to offer."
Give Kids a Smile Day is a national program that creates a fun environment for children to familiarize themselves with local dentists without the drills or injections.
Dentists across the nation opened their practices this week to make sure kids and families learn how to access dental care.
"It is a great opportunity to help families who might otherwise fall through the cracks," said Tia Clifford, clinic coordinator at Dirne Dental.
In 2011, Dirne Dental provided more than $1 million of service discounts to nearly 6,000 uninsured clients with the help of community partners such as the Idaho Dental Foundation, Aurum Ceramic Laboratories and Coeur d'Alene Dental Arts.
Commonly, dental emergencies received at the KMC Emergency Department are referred to Dirne Dental for prompt treatment.