Events provide free dental services

For such a short month, February is chock-full of events - Black History Month, President's Day, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day and, in most years, Mardi Gras.

February is also National Dental Month and National Children's Dental Health Month, and that's no trivial matter in west Pasco County, as it has become the month when area dentists donate their time and skills to provide free dental work to those who otherwise couldn't afford it.

On Friday, dentist Vincent Monticciolo will put on the 10th annual Dentistry from the Heart, providing free extractions, fillings or cleanings at his office, Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry, 4530 Grand Blvd.

Monticciolo started Dentistry from the Heart in 2001 as a way of giving back to the community and to illustrate the growing national problem of the lack of affordable dental care for the uninsured.

A registered national nonprofit organization since 2005, Dentistry from The Heart events have contributed more than $5.5 million in free dentistry and helped more than 25,000 patients. This year, there will be about 200 events nationwide.

At Monticciolo's office, 500 patients will be seen from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Treatment is on a first-come, first-served basis, and in recent years the scene outside the office has become a local media event, as people camp out in the parking lot overnight to secure one of the appointments.

There is no income threshold to receive treatment. Services are limited to cleanings, fillings and extractions. Patients requiring more work will be given a referral. Patients must be 18 years or older.

For information, visit www.dentistryfromthe heart.org.

In the seventh annual Give Kids a Smile program, the West Pasco Dental Association, Pasco-Hernando Dental Hygienists Association and Pasco-Hernando Community College's dental hygiene program team up to provide free services for children, at PHCC West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road. It is for ages 6 through 17.

The American Dental Association started Give Kids a Smile in 2004. This year, more than 48,000 dentists and hygienists will provide free services to more than 316,000 children from low-income families at more than 1,900 sites nationwide. At PHCC, about 100 children will receive treatment.

Financial prequalification for dental services was held Jan. 26.

On Feb. 12, pre-qualified children will be seen for an examination, X-rays, a cleaning and, if needed, sealants. Children who need care such as fillings and extractions will be seen Feb. 26. For information, call 1-877-TRY-PHCC or visit www.phcc .edu/gkas.