Each February, thousands of the nation's dentists and their dental team members provide free oral health care treatment to children from low-income families as part of Give Kids a Smile. The Pinellas County Health Department's dental staff is participating once again with services at no charge on Friday, Feb. 22.
Children who receive free or reduced lunch in school or who have no dental insurance are eligible. The child must be between the ages of 4 and 14 and the parents or guardians should be committed to helping the child practice good oral health.
Care is provided by dental professionals who donate their time to improve the health of children in Pinellas as part of the American Dental Association's National Children's Dental Health Month each February.
Pinellas County Health Department centers in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and Pinellas Park are four of the eight community dental locations participating. For the locations of all Give Kids a Smile clinics on Feb. 22, visit gkaspinellas.com/GKASpinellas/GKAS_Locations.html.
Families qualify as low-income if their annual earnings are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For a family of four, the maximum would be $46,100.
Parents or guardians must pre-register the child by completing the form at www.gkaspinellas.com or contacting the social worker at their child's school. For more information, call 282-5352.
Partners in Give Kids a Smile are the Upper Pinellas County Dental Association, the Pinellas County Dental Association, Pinellas County Dental Hygiene Association, the Pinellas County Health Department, Pinellas County School Board, the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center and MORE HEALTH, Inc.
For information about the Pinellas County Health Department, visit www.pinellashealth.com or call 824-6900.
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