UNION COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER CONTINUES TO BRING SMILES TO CHILDREN OF THE BRONX
Bronx, NY — Saturday, February 2, 2019 – Union Community Health Center (UCHC) kicks off National Children’s Dental Health Month and the “Give Kids a Smile” program with a two-day fun-filled celebration. The event offers something for everyone, providing kids with free oral health screenings, giveaways and fun activities, while parents receive important information about their children’s oral health and disease prevention, now and in the future.
The event will take place on the following:
Friday, February 1, 1:00pm – 4:00pm at 260 East 188th St., Bronx, NY 10458
Saturday, February 2, 10:00am – 2:00pm at 260 East 188th St., Bronx, NY 10458
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a child’s ability to eat, speak, play and learn can be affected by pain and infections caused by tooth decay (cavities). This is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood in the United States. About 20% of children and 13% of adolescents have at least one untreated decayed tooth. These numbers are twice as high for those from low-income families compared with children from higher-income households. The good news is that tooth decay is preventable.
“Helping children develop good habits to care for their teeth while young is important. Healthy habits lead to good dental health care throughout a person’s whole life. By starting to take care of their oral health at an early age, they can avoid many of the problems later in life like tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss.” Explains Dr. Robert Margolin, General Practice Residency Director, SBH Health System and Site Director at Union Community Health Center, 188th St.
During last year’s observance, UCHC’s providers were able to diagnose and treat over 105 children approximately during Give Kids a Smile Day. The organization’s goal is to increase these numbers in 2019. Early detection is the key to prevent tooth decay and regular visits to a dentist is an effective approach to preempt cavities and periodontal diseases.
###
ABOUT UNION COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER:
Union Community Health Center (UCHC) is a not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center providing approximately 180,000 visits each year to approximately 40,000 individual patients from its six locations throughout the Bronx. UCHCs mission is to serve the community with informed, innovative, and outcome-oriented health care services, designed and delivered to improve the health of Bronx residents. No one is denied care because of an inability to pay and UCHC provides services to all regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and religion.
ABOUT GIVE KIDS A SMILE:
Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) is the centerpiece to National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) and is recognized nationally every year on the first Friday in February. GKAS launched nationally by the American Dental Association in 2003, more than 5.5 million underserved children have received free oral health services.
This event focuses on providing preventive education and dental services to underserved children with local events executed all across the country — including education, screening, preventive and restorative treatment. Volunteers including approximately 10,000 dentists annually, along with 30,000 other dental team members provide these free services.
Contact: Luz Correa, VP, Government & Community Affairs Union Community Health Center
W: 718.618.8590
M: 929.232.0870
About Author
