By Jennifer Jacob Brown / jbrown@themeridianstar.com
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN — When local dentist Dr. Mark Williams set out to organize the Give Kids a Smile Day in Meridian, his goal was not only to help needy children have healthy teeth right now, but to give them a positive attitude about dental care that will last for years.
Williams and numerous other area dentists participated in the American Dental Association's Give Kids a Smile Day by offering free dental service to needy second graders Friday morning.
The children who were most in need of dental care were identified by school nurses and social workers in the Meridian and Lauderdale County public school systems, and bussed to dentists offices all over town for free cleanings, exams, and in some cases, x-rays and sealants.
The goal of the program, said Williams, is not only to take care of children's teeth, but to prevent them from developing a fear of the dentist's office.
"Our goal is for the kids to be exposed to the dental office in a positive way because, for many of the children, their first experience is when they have an abscess tooth or something's broken. That's significantly more painful and creates a negative impression for them."
Friday was the eighth annual Give Kids a Smile Day for the ADA, and they estimate that, nationwide, 50,000 dental professionals volunteered their services to more an 320,000 children. The event took place in February because it is National Children's Dental Health Month.
The ADA says that, though Give Kids a Smile Day helps thousands of kids, it's only a drop in the bucket when it comes to the problem of children lacking proper dental care.
"We all know that a one-day event is not a delivery statement and cannot solve the ongoing problem of untreated dental disease," said ADA President Ronald L. Tankersley in a written statement. "It is important that policymakers at the federal and state level strengthen dental provision in public health programs to help put children on the road to good oral health."
Along with Dr. Williams, dentists participating in the program locally were Dr. Todd Scanlon, Dr. Dutch Short, Dr. Frank Achorn, Dr. Holly deShazo, Dr. Marcia McQuarters-Norman, Dr. David Pettey, Dr. Sandra Webb-Thompson, Dr. John Hodge, Dr. David McGrew, Dr. Andrea Gaddis, Dr. Britt McCarty, and the Meridian Community College Dental Hygiene School.
