Patient Georgia Ollis dons her shades and poses with Dr. Luke Current and student Charlene Fickey.
More than three dozen area children brightened up their smiles with free dental care on Friday, Feb. 3 at the East Carolina University Dental Community Service Learning Center in Spruce Pine.
The learning center’s services are part of its involvement in the nationwide Give Kids a Smile initiative– a 19-year-old partnership between the American Dental Association and dental vendors that gives children complementary comprehensive dental exams, cleanings, treatment plans and X-rays.
GKAS, which launched nationally in 2003, provides underserved children with free oral health care. Each year, approximately 6,500 dentists and 30,000 dental team members volunteer at local GKAS events to provide free oral health education, screenings and preventive and restorative treatment to over 300,000 children. It's held annually on the first Friday of February.
Service Learning Center Business Services Coordinator Gene Self said children who are not covered by dental insurance or have never visited a dentist were the target audience but all kids up to 12 were welcome.
Rachel Weir provided Spanish translation for patients.
Since its inception in Spruce Pine, local GKAS events have served more than 250 area kids.
"The great thing about Give Kids a Smile is that it combines the passion we have for treating and working with children along with the ability to support families in the community in which we work and live,” said Dr. Luke Current, a pediatric part-time faculty at the learning center.
GKAS teaches kids the importance of oral health and developing good dental care habits.
It’s another way that the learning center can serve the community.
“The reason I love participating in GKAS is the impact we can make on children who may not have access to dental care in our area and impact their lives in a positive way,” Self said. “We want to educate them on the importance of dental care to their overall health and encourage them to continue care with us or one of the local dentists in our area.”
The number of children served is up significantly from 2022 when just over two dozen kids got care during GKAS.
“Give Kids a Smile is a great event to provide children with the opportunity to receive dental care and oral health instructions,” said dental assistant Jessica Clark. “Our hope is that the kids we serve will learn how to take care of their teeth with hopes of bettering their lives for the future."