Concord, NH- Give Kids A Smile and dentists across New Hampshire will help kick-off this year's National Children's Dental Health month on Friday, February 3, 2012, by offering children from low-income families free dental services, including dental examinations, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants.
Last year, more than 9,235 dentists and 28,481 volunteers participated in Give Kids A Smile day by providing care to an estimated 396,877 children nationwide. The event, supported by the American Dental Association (ADA), has been held each year since 2003. Here in the Granite State, the New Hampshire Dental Society and the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation are annual supporters of this campaign.
According to the American Dental Association, oral health is closely linked to overall health, and dental disease is the most prevalent childhood disease. Dental disease is also almost completely preventable through regular dental visits, brushing, flossing and access to fluoride.
"While there is still a lot to do, we have seen real progress in getting children better access to dental care in New Hampshire," says Jim Williamson, from the New Hampshire Dental Society. "For example, progress has been made in Manchester in partnership with local clinics, and we have seen a big drop in need."
In most locations, dentists will provide free dental services in cooperation with local schools. To learn more about enrolling a child in a Give Kids A Smile clinic, parents should talk to their child's school nurse or dental office as soon as possible.
To schedule an appointment with participating dentists, contact:
Monadnock Region:
Dr. Blake Wullbrandt (603-357-6385). Call for appointments.
More locations are coordinated through the Cheshire Medical Center (call for inquiries 603-762-3770).
Concord:
To schedule an appointment with participating dentists in Concord, contact your local school nurse.
Office Locations:
Grace Family Dentistry-143 Airport Rd, Concord, NH
Dr. Alex McCulloch
Dr. Matthew Walsh
Dr. Pamela Weitzel
Dr. Raymond Orzechowski
Dr. Stuart Cunningham
Dr. John Echternach
Bow Family Dentistry- 514 South St., Bow, NH
Dr.Bruce Cronhardt
Dr. Sarah Katz
Dr. Nikki-Jo Magnifico
SATURDAY, February 4, 2012
Dr. Kimberly A. Meyer - 24 Rochester Rd., Northwood, NH 03261
- hours 8 am to 1 pm, children 3-18 yrs. First come, first serve basis for appointments - NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Lakes Region:
Referrals made through school nurses for this location - contact your local school.
Children's Dentistry of the Lakes Region- 369 Hounsell Ave, Ste 1, Gilford, NH
Drs. Alan & Melissa Kennell
Dr. Lisa Singh
Dr. Kristine Blackwelder
Dr. Troy Schrupp
Dr. James Manning
Dr. Dave Pak
Manchester:
Educational Site Visits & Dental Hand Outs at 3 locations - visit www.nhds.org for details.
Seacoast:
Avis Goodwin-Drs. Whitney Goode & Lisa Slaughter, 311 Route 108, Somersworth, NH. Call for appointments (603-516-2548).
Nashua:
Educational school visits-Dr. Deborah DeBeradinis, Amherst, NH.
Drs. Michael Chow, Denise Chow and Bridget Ko, 305 Main St., Nashua, NH 03060 (881-8282) Free exams and cleanings. Please call for an appointment.
Greater Salem:
Collins Dentistry for Children, Dr. Nilfa Collins, Pelham, NH.
North Country:
Conway Oral Healthcare, Dr. Eric Hirschfeld, 51 Washington St, Conway, NH (603 447-1999). Referrals are coordinated through Conway Elementary School, but office inquiries are welcome.
About The New Hampshire Dental Society
The New Hampshire Dental Society is the professional association of dentists in New Hampshire. The Society has more than 800 members and represents more than 84 percent of the practicing dentists in the state. To find a local dentist near you, please visit www.nhds.org or call (603) 225-5961.
