Media invited to attend Give Kids A Smile Ohio kickoff event at Ohio State College of Dentistry

Who:

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Ohio Dental Association, and state leaders.

What:

Volunteer dental students and dentists will provide free dental care to children in central Ohio and the greater Columbus area through the Give Kids A Smile Ohio kickoff. At the event, children will receive free dental services including preventive services such as cleanings and fluoride treatments and restorative services such as fillings and extractions as needed.

Where:

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry
Postle Hall, 305 W. 12th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210
Kickoff ceremony: Room 1180 (media should enter the dental clinic and will be escorted to the kickoff ceremony location)
Dental Care: First-floor dental clinic

When:

Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020
Kickoff ceremony: 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.,
Dental care: Provided from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Why:

In 2011, the Ohio Department of Health reported that children from low-income families were more than twice as likely to have untreated cavities as those from middle- or upper-income families. Give Kids A Smile is an opportunity for parents who have had difficulty finding dental care for their children to receive free dental care. Through the Give Kids A Smile program, created by the American Dental Association, dentists and dental professionals across the state and nation volunteer their time throughout the year to provide screenings, treatments and oral health education to children.

Media Contacts:

Tamra Pace
The Ohio State University
College of Dentistry
Director, Marketing & Communications
pace.159@osu.edu
(614) 592-3400

David Owsiany, JD
Ohio Dental Association
Executive Director
david@oda.org
(614) 270-6095