“In February of this year Dental Health for Arlington did a program called “Give Kids a Smile” and due to our success in North Texas Giving Day 2014 we were able to provide dental care for over 30 children from the Arlington area for no cost to the parents! The children were chosen as the most severe cases from our school-based Sealant program known as SMILES. We had a festive day with volunteer dentists, hygienists and dental assistants all working together on helping the kids have a very positive dental experience.
“UTA Pre Dental students played games and educated the children before they went back to see the dentists and really helped keep the kids from being so nervous. We even had a UTA student that spoke Farsi to two of our most nervous children and helped them and their mother understand the procedures that were being performed.
“North Texas Giving Day is so important to our school-based program and our dental clinic in that we can provide treatment options to people who have no place to go. Dental care is so important and tooth decay is one of the number one reasons children miss school. With a program like SMILES and our Dental Clinic we are able to educate and provide care to the entire family and North Texas Giving Day allows us to provide that care year after year! Donate here on September 17 (6 a.m. to midnight) so we can spread smiles to even more children in need!”
–Glenda Bell, SMILES Director
*Photos courtesy of Glenda Bell