Finding care

For the eighth year, the Minnesota Dental Association is proud to coordinate a charitable outreach program, called Give Kids a Smile, to provide free care to low-income children in need. The two-day, statewide event was Friday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. A few clinics are taking appointments for later in February. The Association is committed to doing what it can to make quality care accessible to every child in Minnesota. If you know a child who could benefit from this program, please provide her or her parents with the following information.

Every child must have an appointment. To find a local participating dental clinic, click on “Making an appointment for your child.” The list of clinics changes frequently. Parents can also call United Way 211 (just dial 2-1-1). Cell phone users should call 800-543-7709. United Way’s Information & Referral Specialists will assist parents in identifying a clinic. Parents must then call the dental clinic to schedule an appointment.

Dental professionals who are donating their time and talents to this program are concerned about the growing number of children who are unable to access needed dental care. Patients will typically not be asked to verify their eligibility for this free care. It's important to know that children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must have an appointment in advance. Sorry, but same-day, walk-in care is not available on these days.

Services will vary from preventive care, which includes cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatment, to restorative care, which includes fillings. Information on specific services should be discussed when an appointment is scheduled.

Each participating dental office can set its own age range. Typically, the age range is 3 to 18. But, since it may vary, it's important that parents ask this question when making an appointment for their child.

• In the weeks before the child's appointment, families or teachers should read age-appropriate books to familiarize the child with what to expect during their dental exam. Your school or community library should have some good choices.

• On the day before the appointment, encourage families to drive together to the clinic. Just driving past the clinic helps ensure families know where the clinic is located and helps the child visualize - and feel more confident about - where he or she will visit the dentist.

• Please remind families to respect the clinic's time and dedication. For every child who doesn't show up for his or her appointment, another child could have been helped. If the family must cancel, they should give the clinic at least a day's notice, so the clinic can identify another child who could benefit from free care.

Give Kids a Smile provides two days of free dental care for low-income children in need. In some cases, more immediate dental attention may be necessary. To assist you in finding ongoing dental services, the Minnesota Dental Association has compiled a list of clinics that may take medical assistance, general assistance, or offer services on a sliding fee scale. Please note that information on this list is subject to change.

Before making an appointment, please call the appropriate clinic to discuss your needs and clarify fees, eligibility and other details. Click here to find Resources for Ongoing Care.