 |
Learn about the program at
this site and how to get involved. |
| How it Works | The Need for Care | A True Community Effort | Steering Committee & Sponsors |
| 2007 - 2008 Programs | Education Material Available to Teachers | Contact Information | Smile Kentucky! Photo Gallery |
Smile Kentucky! works with school
districts to select the schools. The
program is two-fold: dental education and treatment. The program runs from
August through February.
During the first phase, Smile Kentucky! volunteers visit each school, providing a dental education program to every classroom. On the same day, children in grades three, four and five receive a free dental screening. Local dentists and hygienists provide the screenings. Every child at the school receives a Colgate toothbrush and toothpaste and a Pure Tap water bottle. Teachers receive a dental curriculum, aligned to Kentucky Core Content.
During the second phase, Smile Kentucky! provides free, comprehensive treatment to medically underserved children at the selected schools. From the screenings, the program identifies children who need dental treatment and have no insurance or federal assistance. Those children come to the University of Louisville School of Dentistry on a selected date. Local dentists, hygienists and dental assistants provide the free treatment.
The campaign hopes to bring
attention to what the U.S. Surgeon General has called a “silent
epidemic” of oral disease affecting children from low-income families.
The Surgeon General’s 2000 report found dental decay is the most
common disease affecting U.S. children, occurring at five times the rate of
asthma and seven times that of hay fever.
A 2001 Kentucky study found 29% of
school children examined in the 3rd and 6th grades had
visible dental decay; another 20% said they’d had a toothache in the past
month. Oral health problems can affect a child’s overall health including
speech, eating patterns and concentrating in school.
Smile Kentucky! originated in 2002 from an existing partnership between Louisville Water Company, the Louisville Dental Society and the U of L School of Dentistry. The group decided it wanted to make an impact on the health of the community’s children. The funding for Smile Kentucky! comes from its steering committee and grants. For example, Colgate donates 17,000 toothbrushes and toothpaste. Louisville Water Company donates 17,000 Pure Tap bottles and curriculums for teachers. Sullivan Schein Dental donates supplies to screen 5,000 children and treatment for another 400. The U of L School of Dentistry the use of its school for treatment.
In all over 600 volunteers make the program work - - from employees, dental students, TARC, local school systems, and dental supply companies. Smile Kentucky! compliments an effort by the American Dental Association to provide care to underserved children.
Smile
Kentucky Steering Committee and Sponsors
The American Dental Association and Sullivan Schein Dental help provide supplies to treat children. The ADA has selected the program as one of 40 sites across the country for a national day of treatment.
Smile Kentucky! is made possible by the following:
|
Alcoa Colgate
Bright Smiles, Bright Futures |
NorthWest Area Health
Education
Prospect/Goshen Rotary Club |
Smile Kentucky! 2007-2008 Program
▪ Smile Kentucky! will work with 32 elementary schools in Jefferson, Bullitt, Shelby, Nelson and Washington Counties.
▪ Dental education and screenings take place at the schools between October 24 and November 16
▪ Treatment day is February 1, 2008 at the U of L School of Dentistry
2007-2008 Schools
Jefferson
Bloom
Camp Taylor
Chancey
Field
Frayser
Gilmore Lane
Johnsontown Road
Layne
Lowe
Medora
Portland
Roosevelt-Perry
Stonestreet
Tully
Shelby
Clear Creek
Heritage
Painted Stone
Simpsonville
Southside
Wright
Nelson
Bardstown Independent
Bloomfield
Boston
Cox’s Creek
Foster Heights
New Haven
Old Kentucky Home Intermediate
Bullitt
Brooks
Cedar Grove
Overdale
Shepherdsville
Washington County
Fredricktown
Smile
Kentucky! Education Materials
Smile Kentucky! includes a dental curriculum aligned to Kentucky Core Content. The material is designed for grades k-5 and includes hands-on activities, open response questions and other activities. To request a free copy, contact Kelley Dearing Smith at Louisville Water Company via email, ksmith@lwcky.com or call 569-3600 x2436.
Smile
Kentucky! Contact Information
To learn more about Smile Kentucky! contact:
Kelley Dearing Smith
Louisville Water Company
ksmith@lwcky.com
569-3600 x2436Dr. Lee Mayer/Dr. Mike Mansfield
U of L School of Dentistry
852-1209/852-2099
lsmaye02@louisville.edu
wmmans01@louisville.eduDr. Steve Remmers
President, Louisville Dental Society
499-0234
Smile Kentucky! provides free dental screenings at school to children in grades three through six. Local dentists and hygienists provide the screenings. Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Dental Van visits rural schools.
Every child takes part in education programs that look at the amount of sugar in snacks, the value of fluoride and the importance of seeing the dentist regularly.
Over 300 children receive free, comprehensive treatment the first Friday in February at the U of L School of Dentistry. Dentists, hygienists, U of L faculty and senior dental students provide the care. Other volunteers coordinate transportation, logistics and lunch! The value of the treatment exceeds $100,000.
