Smiles for Kids 2012

Jackson Creek Dental Group will once again open their office to treat children, at no cost, who “fall between the cracks” in healthcare – children who would not otherwise receive dental treatment – on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Because of the overwhelming number of children attending this event last year and the length of time they have had to wait, the format will be changing in 2012. Beginning January 16th, 2012 Jackson Creek Dental Group will be scheduling actual appointment times in advance for Smiles for Kids day. These appointments will be filled on a first-come-first served basis and when the openings are full no further patients will be accepted.

The doctors and their staff have provided this service to the community on a volunteer basis for the past 27 years. This is an excellent opportunity to educate both the child and parent about how the effects of poor oral health extend far beyond problems in the mouth, often generating other related health problems.

To qualify for treatment, children must be 2-18 years of age, qualify for free or reduced fee school lunches, WIC or CHDP, be a resident of Amador County, and they must not be covered by private dental insurance, Denti-Cal or Healthy Families. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child throughout the appointment.

“For children who meet the program requirements, we will be providing free of charge, a complete dental exam and x-rays as needed,” stated Leon Roda III, DDS at Jackson Creek Dental Group. “We will also provide teeth cleaning, fluoride treatment and prescriptions, sealants, orthodontic evaluations, and other emergency treatment as time allows.”

“We believe every child deserves a healthy smile, and this is a day dedicated to dental treatment, education, advocacy and prevention. Untreated dental disease is very painful and can affect a child’s physical, emotional and social development,” quoted Craig Kinzer, DDS at Jackson Creek Dental Group. “Tooth decay is the #1 chronic childhood disease in America and is largely preventable. Kids with untreated dental decay can’t eat or sleep properly, and they have difficulty concentrating in school. This Smiles for Kids event is one way we can become part of the solution, and work together to give the children in our community smiles for life.”

Crucial follow-up treatment may be provided through the Sacramento District Dental Society’s Adopt-a-Child Orthodontic and Specialty Referral Care Programs. Several Amador County dentists will also be providing these services as part of the Adopt-a-Child Program. Children requiring Orthodontic and Specialty Referral Care follow-up appointments may be assigned to a specialist to receive necessary endodontic, periodontic, pediatric, orthodontic and oral surgery treatments.

“Our dental staff and volunteers offered professional services and education to over 90 local children and their parents last year, As Smiles for Kids grows in size we always try to maintain that personal touch with each child and their family. ”said Ron Ask, DDS at Jackson Creek Dental Group. “We are honored to be opening our office again as part of the Smiles for Kids program in support of the American Dental Association’s “Give Kids a Smile” campaign.”