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Dentists Help Kids Smile

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By KLINT LOWRY

The Suncoast News

Published: March 4, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - Kids might disagree, but to be perfectly candid, the Tooth Fairy is overrated.

What else can you say about someone who is only interested in children's teeth after it's too late, and then only thinks they're worth small change?

The West Pasco Dental Association, on the other hand, is concerned about children's dental health, and proved it once again by participating in the sixth annual Give Kids A Smile program.

In recognition of Children's Dental Health Month in February, the American Dental Association started Give Kids A Smile in 2004, aimed at providing dental care to children who might otherwise not be able to get it. Today, about 51,000 dental professionals provide free dental services to more than half a million young patients at more than 2,000 locations nationwide.

Locally, the West Pasco Dental Association, Pasco-Hernando Dental Hygienists Association, and Pasco-Hernando Community College's dental hygiene program treat about 100 patients annually at PHCC's New Port Richey-area campus.

On Friday, dentists Steve Durrett, Joe Grimaudo, Paul Miller and Raj Grover, along with dental hygiene and dental assistant students, volunteer hygienists and support staff, were at PHCC West Campus, which has hosted the local Give Kids A Smile campaign since its second year in existence.

"I approached Dr. Durrett and said you're welcome to use our clinic," said Deborah Nastelli, a program coordinator for PHCC's dental hygiene program.

Nastelli couldn't praise the program and the professionals who participate in it enough, and was proud of the school being a part of it, as well.

Give Kids A Smile is aimed at children ages 5 to 17 who don't qualify for Medicaid but whose families cannot afford dental visits, providing them with both preventive and restorative dental services.

"There's a lot of need out there, especially in Pasco County," Durrett said.

In past years, Give Kids A Smile has consisted of three steps, hosted on consecutive Fridays when the participating dentists' own offices are closed or have short hours. First, there would be a day for pre-screenings. Then a week later, the children would come in for basic work.

"We provide all the children with an exam," Nastelli said. "They get X-rays; they get a cleaning. And they get oral hygiene instruction, and a fluoride treatment."

This is an important part of the program, Durrett said. Providing maintenance work and education can prevent children from needing more drastic work down the road.

The following week, children who need more involved follow-up work like extractions and fillings come back.

The program, Nastelli said, is a win-win experience for her students, getting real-world experience working with professionals. At the same time, they are performing a community service.

In that regard, she pointed out, the professionals set a fine example, donating their time and much of the supplies needed. This year, the program was helped out with a $3,000 grant from the American Dental Hygienists' Association's Oral Health Institute.

The grant made it possible to extend this year's Give Kids A Smile to include one more Friday of restorative work two weeks after the event was scheduled to be over.

"The doctors wanted very much to complete each child, to make sure they had no cavities when they were done," Nastelli said.

No matter how much they do, there always seems to be a need for more, especially lately, Durrett said. They can only do what they can, but they make sure they do what they can.

It might cut into the Tooth Fairy's business, but those are the breaks.

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