PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
CONTACT: Anthony Hopkins, anthonyh@childrenfirstpa.org

215-563-5848 x23 (w) or 484-433-7490 (c)

PCCY and Area Dentists Taking Appointments Now for Free Dental Care at “Give Kids a Smile Day”

PHILADELPHIA (March 16th, 2015) – Public Citizens for Children and Youth will team up with twelve area dental offices to provide free dental care to children at PCCY’s 12th annual Give Kids a Smile Day. Dentists located in West Philadelphia and Delaware County will provide children with exams, cleanings and other dental care needs during the week of March 30th- April 3rd. The annual day of care is meant to help uninsured and underinsured families access dental care for their children and to help enroll eligible families in public health insurance programs like Medicaid and CHIP.

Frank Mulbah brought his daughter to Give Kids a Smile Day last year. He said “This event was a godsend for me and my daughter. Not only did my baby girl get her teeth cleaned, but now we have health care coverage and she gets regular checkups at the dentist. This never would have been possible without Give Kids a Smile Day.”

Since its inception, 2,500 children have received free dental care through Give Kids a Smile Day. PCCY and local dentists hope add to that total this year.

“Tooth decay is the number one disease children face and we work with our partners to fight back with a free week of care,” said Colleen McCauley, Health Policy Director for PCCY. “Our goal is to help put smiles on more kids’ faces and make sure they get health coverage so they can receive regular dental check-ups.”

“Regular dental care is such a vital part of a child’s health,” said Cheryl A. Janssen, CEO and Executive Director of Kids Smiles. “We are thrilled to be a part of Give Kids a Smile Day and help more children live healthy so they can live, play and grow up healthy.”

Appointments for this year’s event are now available. Parents should call 215-563-5848 ext. 32 to make an appointment for their child. For more information about Give Kids a Smile Day, please visit www.childrenfirstpa.org/smileday.

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