Groups join forces to give kids dental care

In honor of the American Dental Association's annual "Give Kids a Smile Day," the McHenry County Cooperative Dental Clinic partnered with school nurses, the McHenry County Dental Society and the McHenry County Department of Health to provide oral health services and education to area youth during February.

Twenty-five dentists and 10 dental hygienists, along with clerical staff, provided dental screenings and oral hygiene education to 400 children.

Of those, 90 children were provided comprehensive dental treatment, with 126 children receiving preventive services.

Donated services from Dental Society volunteers totaled $48,500.

"Give Kids a Smile" is a national initiative to focus attention on the epidemic of untreated oral disease among disadvantaged children. The need for oral health care is the most prevalent unmet health-care need among children and adolescents.

MCDH's Health Improvement Plan (IPLAN 2007-2012) includes reducing the occurrence of poor dental and oral health among children and adolescents. This report can be viewed online at www.mcdh.info.