Did you know that tooth decay is one of the most common reasons for missed school days for children?
Tooth decay is a common health problem, second in prevalence only to the common cold. It is estimated that 90% of people in the United States have at least one cavity, and that 75% of people had their first cavity by the age of five. Although anyone can have a problem with tooth decay, children and senior citizens are the two groups at highest risk. Other high-risk groups include people who eat a lot of starchy and sugary foods; people living in areas without a fluoridated water supply; and people who already have numerous dental restorations (fillings and crowns).
Do you know any children who don’t have dental insurance, and don’t have access to quality, affordable dental care?
We have a solution! The Give Kids A Smile® program is the American
Dental Association-endorsed day of free dental care each February.
As a program of ORBIT, Southwestern Area Health Education Center (AHEC) partners with the Bridgeport Dental Association to provide urgently-needed free dental care for hundreds of uninsured Bridgeport and Stratford children. This program is coordinated under a grant from the CT Health Foundation.
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ORBIT’s Give Kids A Smile® Program in Greater Bridgeport |
|||
|
Year |
# Participating Private Dentists |
# Children Served |
In-Kind Services |
|
2007 |
21 |
86 |
$30,000 |
|
2008 |
32 |
174 |
$76,000 |
|
2009 |
48 |
323 |
$139,077 |
|
2010 |
63 |
449 |
$200,000+ |
U. S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2000
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