Children between the ages of one and ten years from local low-income families were given free dental services such as screenings, cleanings and fluoride treatments at the HealthFirst Family Care Center on February 1, 2013 as part of national Give Kids a Smile Day. Children were seen for inspection and cleaning by hygienists, such as Debbie Souza, and then examined by dentists Robeille and Khalid. The program enhances the oral health of needy children and help disadvantaged families get the dental care that is needed for their family. The program is sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA) to provide care and raise awareness of the importance of access to dental care for poor children. Nearly one in four children, aged two to 11 years old has untreated cavities in their baby teeth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Click here for a 90-second video. Click here for photos of the 2011 event. For more information about services offered by the HealthFirst dental clinic, call Betty Nunes at 508-679-9376, Ext. 236. 
 

(Top row, left) Educational materials are displayed in the HealthFirst Dental Clinic on Give Kids A Smile Day. (Top row, center and right) Two-year-old Daniel Madrid meets Outreach Parent Coordinator Betty Nunes, dressed as the Tooth Fairy. (Row two) Ms. Nunes asks Daniel to brush the teeth of a stuffed animal to show how he knows what to do. (Row three) Staff look on as Daniel meets dental hygienist Debbie Souza, RDN, who starts to inspect and clean his teeth. (Bottom row, left) HealthFirst Dental Clinic Director Dr. Anila Khalid, DMD talks with WIC Program Director Colleen Kenyan and Dr. Philip Tobeille, DDS. (Bottom row, center and right) Following his exam, Daniel proudly points out his clean teeth.