Something to smile about
by Kim Miller
Zoely Aceredo, 9, knows how serious dental problems can be.
“If you don’t go to the dentist it could be very bad,” the Windsor Spring Elementary student said. “You could be in a lot of pain when you don’t need to be.”
Zoely was one of more than 100 students to visit the Medical College of Georgia Feb. 3 for its third annual Give Kids a Smile Day, a nationwide activity sponsored by the American Dental Association and Crest Oral Health Care. She and her classmates, third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students from Windsor Spring Elementary School, received educational, preventive and restorative dental services from MCG dental and dental hygiene students, faculty and volunteer dental health practitioners.
“Give Kids a Smile Day gives kids positive experiences in the dental chair,” said Marie Collins, chair of the MCG School of Allied Health Sciences Department of Dental Hygiene. “Our goal is to show kids the dental office is not a scary place.”
Along with MCG dental students and dental hygiene students, seven MCG School of Dentistry alumni and three MCG School of Allied Health Sciences alumni participated in the event to provide the children free dental cleanings, sealants and cavity fillings. Kids also received a watch sheet to take home to their parents.
“I think it’s really informative and important to give parents an update of their kids’ oral health,” said Maneeza Askaryar, a senior dental student. “It’s a good way to bring problems to their attention.”