CHILDREN'S DENTAL CLINIC AIMS TO BRIGHTEN SMILES

County News Service

February 22, 2016 (San Diego) -- Hundreds of San Diego County children should be smiling brighter by this time next week thanks to the volunteer efforts of local dental health professionals.

The County’s Dental Health Initiative/Share the Care program, the San Diego Dental Health Foundation and six community dental clinics will be providing free dental sealants and fluoride varnish to low-income children ages 1 to 18 years that have no dental resources on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon.  There are six locations countywide, including Spring Valley here in East County, as well as clinics in San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Escondido and Vista.

Kym Hodge, Dental Health Initiative/Share the Care Program manager, says, “The cost of sealants and fluoride varnish is sometimes prohibitive for some families, but it’s such a huge preventative measure in reducing cavities and protecting their teeth.” All public school children are required to have an oral health screening upon entering kindergarten and this event satisfies that requirement and participants will receive a completed oral health assessment form for school.

Depending on their age, children will also receive fluoride varnish, a special fluoride coating painted on all teeth; or dental sealants, a special coating painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Both dental sealants and fluoride varnish are safe and painless ways to protect teeth and help prevent cavities.

Many children do not have a regular dentist and do not receive routine dental care and prevention services.

“Both dental sealants and fluoride varnish are safe and painless ways to protect teeth and help prevent cavities,” said Hodge. “It’s also our hope that this event will introduce families to local professionals who can provide regular dental exams and treatments for their children.”

Families can call 619-692-8858 to schedule an appointment for the location nearest them. Children with appointments will be given priority, but walk-ins are welcome.

The six locations for the event are:

1. Vista Community Clinic: Vale Terrace
   
   1000 Vale Terrace Dr.
   
   Vista, CA 92084

      2. Neighborhood Healthcare

          Ray M. Dickinson Wellness Center

          425 N Date St., Ste 129

          Escondido, CA 92025 

      3. San Ysidro Chula Vista Medical Plaza

          678 Third Ave.

          Chula Vista, CA 91910

      4. Operation Samahan Mira Mesa Clinic

          10737 Camino Ruiz

          Suite 138

          San Diego, CA 92126

      5. Operation Samahan Community Health Center

          2835 Highland Ave.

          Suite A

          National City, CA 91950

      6. Grossmont/Spring Valley Family Health Center

          8788 Jamacha Rd.

          Spring Valley, CA 91977