Kids in Delaware County are smiling a little brighter today

Dr. Rose Wadenya, a dentist at Eagle Crest Pediatric Dentistry and her staff were screening youngsters’ teeth during Give Kids a Smile Day last week.

The room was buzzing with the sound of dental equipment and all dental chairs filled as Wadenya and her staff checked out children for cavities and educated them on the importance of proper dental care and wearing mouth guards while playing sports.

“We as a staff try to focus on pre-schools all over Delaware County and educate them on dental health. We want kids to have optimum oral health and protect teeth during sports. Our strong focus is education and this is a way to reach out to kids,” said Wadenya.

The day was sponsored by Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) and encompassed Upper Darby school district and other districts in the area. Children were able to get free screenings as parents and children learned preventative measures to keep the cavities at bay.

Roxy Woloszyn of PPCY helped coordinate the event. Previously they coordinated the event for nine years in Philadelphia. On Give Kids a Smile Day 200 appointments were made to have children’s teeth screened.

“This is the first year that we became involved with this event in the Upper Darby area. Eight dentists participated here and in Philadelphia. Our larger goal is for children to find a dentist and see them throughout the year. A child with dental problems will go to school with pain and have self-esteem issues. We can identify those without insurance and get health care services for them year round,” said Woloszyn.

Public Citizens for Children and Youth are advocates for children’s education, child care, learning and family economics. They are policy watch dogs advocating legislation that serves in the best interest of children according to Woloszyn, their Health Policy Associate.

The American Dental Association(ADA) began the Give Kids A Smile program in 2003 The program initially began as a one-day event in February, but has since grown to local and national events year-round. Dentists and other team members volunteer their time, and services, to provide screenings, treatments and education to children throughout the United States. For more information about PCCY go to www.childrenfirstpa.org or ADA go to www.ada.org.

DelcoTimes – April 5, 2013 – 在线阅读文章