Give Kids A Smile Day observed

Observer Staff Reports

Posted: Friday, Feb. 01, 2013

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John D. Simmons - jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com
Dr. James Brittain completes paperwork for Luis Escott, 11, a fifth grader at Merry Oaks Elementary School. Dr. Brittain and Dr. Matt Jamison were among dentists from 16 Mecklenburg County practices who gave free care to needy children as part of Give Kids a Smile event on Friday February 1, 2013. The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc., along with the Charlotte Dental Association, Communities in Schools and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools coordinated the local event and that helped an estimated 100 children this year. Children between the ages of 6-13 received the full range of dental care from teeth cleaning through extraction. "We do whatever is needed," said Dr. Brittain. JOHN D. SIMMONS - jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com

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John D. Simmons - jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com
Everything is fine after Luis Escott, 11, had a tooth pulled Friday. Escott helps nine-year-old Inri Martinez to set up a video game to play at the dentist offices of Dr. James Brittain and Dr. Matt Jamison. Brittain and Jamison were among dentists from 16 Mecklenburg County practices who gave free care to needy children as part of Give Kids a Smile event on Friday February 1, 2013. The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc., along with the Charlotte Dental Association, Communities in Schools and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools coordinated the local event and that helped an estimated 100 children this year. Children between the ages of 6-13 received the full range of dental care from teeth cleaning through extraction. "We do whatever is needed," said Dr. Brittain. JOHN D. SIMMONS - jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com

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Hundreds of thousands of low-income children, including thousands from the Carolinas, will get free dental exams and treatment Friday as part of the 11th annual Give Kids A Smile Day.

The American Dental Association sponsors this nationwide event, in which dentists and their staff members provide clinics and treatment for children in need. The ADA estimates about 10,000 dentists and 31,000 other volunteers will work with about 400,000 children.

The event annually takes place on the first Friday of February.

Among the participants is the Junior League of Charlotte. Woozie Dell of the Junior League said all spots in the group’s clinic were filled in advance. About 100 children are being treated by volunteers from 18 Charlotte-area dental offices Friday.

Charlotte-area participants in Friday’s program (according to the ADA) are:

Boone -- North Carolina Public Health

Charlotte -- Junior League of Charlotte

Denver -- Lincoln Dental Society

Hickory -- Catawba County Dentists

Kannapolis -- Cabarrus County Give Kids a Smile

Matthews -- Forrest Dentistry.

Morganton -- Teeth in Need Good Samaritan Clinic.

North Wilkesboro -- Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic

Salisbury -- Rowan County GKAS

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