Giving kids a smile
<p>Brenna Cowan, dental hygienist at Avondale Dental Center in Hayden Lake, inspects the teeth of Connor Hay, 9, during the annual Give Kids a Smile Day on Friday. The office has participated in the American Dental Association sponsored event for about 15 years, offering nearly $30,000 worth of free dental services just this year.</p>
Several area dentists are participating in the American Dental Association's Give Kids a Smile program.
Throughout February, participating Idaho dentists and their staff members will give free care to uninsured children in need.
Children who have dental insurance or are covered by Medicaid or CHIP are not eligible.
To participate, parents or guardians should contact one of the dental offices to schedule a free appointment. Appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
The American Dental Association began the Give Kids A Smile program in 2003 as a way for dentists to join with others in the community to provide dental services to underserved children. The program initially began as a one-day event in February, but has since grown to local and national events year-round. Dentists and other team members volunteer their time and services to provide screenings, treatments and education to children throughout the United States. Each year, approximately 350,000 children benefit from more than 1,500 events, all because of the efforts of 40,000 or more annual volunteers.
Local dental offices participating this year:
* Heritage Health Dental Care, Coeur d'Alene. (208) 292-0292.
* Coeur d'Alene Dental Center, Dr. KC McVey, 1322 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d'Alene. (208) 667-7461.
* Avondale Dental Center, Dr. Wilson, Dr. Martin and Dr. Robson,1683 E. Miles Ave., Hayden Lake. (208) 772-4066.
* Dr. Michael Boehm Family Dentistry, 1280 E. Polston Ave., Post Falls. (208) 773-5505.
* River City Dentistry, Dr. Donna Schau, 1910 E. Schneidmiller Ave. Suite B, Post Falls. (208) 777-8668.