Give Kids A Smile marks 10 years

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

More than 5,650 low-income youngsters across our state will receive $945,000 in free dental care this year as part of the American Dental Association and Wisconsin Dental Association’s 10th annual Give Kids A Smile® children’s dental access program.

Some 475 Wisconsin dentists, along with 540 other volunteers, are donating their time and skills to get underserved children out of pain and treat dental disease. Other GKAS® events involve dental health screenings, cleanings and oral hygiene education.

GKAS® events in Wisconsin have delivered $5 million in free dental care to 34,281 youth since 2003.

Why baby teeth matter

It’s a myth to think taking care of baby (primary) teeth isn’t necessary since they eventually fall out. The truth is baby teeth DO matter and kids can keep their back teeth – the ones they chew with – until their early teens.

Baby teeth are very important to a child’s early physical, social and emotional development.

Tooth decay or cavities is a serious disease. More than half of all children have cavities by the second grade. They are a serious, infectious and transmissible disease that can spread and lead to infection without proper precautions.

The good news is early childhood caries (cavities) are preventable. MORE>>