Keep Them Smiling: Give Kids a Smile 2008
In a growing effort to
serve low-income children in need of dental care, the Minnesota Dental
Association will again coordinate the statewide charitable outreach program
“Give Kids a Smile”. Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 1, and
Saturday, February 2, 2008.
This
event has become an annual celebration of giving, caring, and camaraderie. Last
year’s “Give Kids a Smile” event set a new record, with 2,000 dental volunteers
donating $1.7 million worth of dental services.
Participating
volunteers not only offer free dental services to children in need, they also
raise public awareness about the need to fix problems in the state’s dental
access policies. By working together in one coordinated effort, volunteers
bring a great amount of media attention to the issue of dental access. Several
state legislators have also become engaged in local “Give Kids a Smile” events.
As
perennial participants know, “Give Kids a Smile” is an outreach program that is
flexible and rewarding. Many volunteers continue to sign up year after year. If
you haven’t participated, here’s how it works:
When
you complete the sign-up form, you can select whether you would like to
volunteer by hosting an event at your own clinic, by volunteering at another
clinic, or by contributing funds to help offset the expenses of clinics that
provide clinical care. The MDA provides you with the information and support
you need. Through a partnership with United
Way 2-1-1, the MDA helps route children in need to
local participating dental offices (this is an optional service, not a
requirement).
The MDA welcomes you to join this program.
Please watch your mail for a sign-up form or register online at
www.mndental.org. If you have any questions, please call the Association at
(612) 767-8400.
