It’s all about a smile!!
Smile Kentucky! addresses what the U.S. Surgeon General calls the most common chronic childhood disease in this country, tooth decay. Created in 2002, the program is a community partnership to improve the oral health of children. Since 2002, Smile Kentucky! has provided dental education programs to 75,000 children, dental screening to over 21,000 and free treatment to over 1,300 children. The program works with elementary schools in Louisville Metro and surrounding Kentucky counties, with Bullitt County being one of them.
Smile Kentucky! includes three components: education, dental screening, and treatment. With education, health educators/volunteers demonstrate how to brush, floss, and how to measure the amount of sugar in snacks. Every child in that school receives a Colgate toothbrush and toothpaste, Pure Tap water bottle and take home materials. Teachers receive a dental curriculum aligned to core content. School libraries receive dental health books. Dental Screening is where dentists and hygienists visit each school and provide free screening to children in grades 3-6. Last is the treatment, Smile Kentucky! provides free treatment to children who have either no dental insurance or government assistance. The treatment takes place at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and private offices on the first Friday in February. For many children, it’s their first trip to the dentist. For others, it’s the opportunity to go home with a new smile and no more toothaches.
The impact of Smile Kentucky! is truly a community partnership!! Over 500 volunteers and dental professionals make the program possible. Local companies and organizations cover the cost. Smile Kentucky! is nationally recognized as a model for community service. The program compliments a national effort by the American Dental Association. Smile Kentucky! will work with 32 schools in Bullitt, Jefferson, Nelson, Shelby and Washington Counties in the 2007-2008 program.
This year in Bullitt County, we have 4 elementary schools that will participate with Smile Kentucky!, these schools change every year. Starting October 24th at Brooks Elementary, November 1st at Overdale Elementary, November 2nd at Shepherdsville Elementary and November 7th at Cedar Grove Elementary and ending February 1st, 2008 being treatment day at U of L School of Dentistry.
We are always looking for help/volunteers with Smile Kentucky! Program; please call Bullitt County Health Education Office at 502-955-5355 for more information.
