Over 500 Underserved And Special Needs Kids On LI Get Free Dental Care

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — More than 500 underserved and special needs children on Long Island received free dental screenings and oral hygiene lessons on "Give Kids A Smile Day."

Dentists, hygienists, dental residents, and dental students participated in Nassau County Dental Society's 17th annual event on May 13 at Bayview Avenue School in Freeport. More than seven million children ages five to nine have been served nationwide since the event started in 2003, according to Northwell Health officials. Of that, about 16,000 kids are from Long Island.

"This event is so important for the underserved in our community," said Dr. Joseph Brofsky, section head of pediatric dentistry at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park and president of the Nassau County Dental Society. "Dental disease is preventable and needs to be stopped before you have a problem. No child should have to go through life with painful dental issues."

The event, which is centered around children's access to oral care, is part of an initiative by the American Dental Association (ADA) to help underserved kids.

This year's event was sponsored by the ADA, Henry Schein Inc., the Nassau Academy of Dentistry, the Long Beach Lions Club, Northwell Health, Farmland Fresh Dairies, Fidelis Care, Liberty Dental, Sports Depot, Bagel Plaza of Merrick, Patken Photography and Vivo Entertainment.

According to Northwell Health, dental decay remains the most common chronic childhood disease — with low-income children suffering twice as much as those from more affluent families.

Doctors say thousands of children in the U.S. cannot eat or sleep properly, have trouble paying attention in school, and cannot smile because of untreated dental disease.

"Without relief, these children will face lifelong health problems — not just dental health, but overall health — and difficulty getting good jobs, to say nothing of the lack of confidence and self-esteem caused by their inability to smile," said Brofsky.

At this year's event, children received complimentary screenings, fluoride varnish, and sealants, along with oral hygiene supplies to take home and lessons on how to maintain a healthy mouth.