Give Kids A Smile Day

Children from low-income families to receive free dental services from NSU

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. — Children from low-income families will receive free dental services on Saturday, April 14 from Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) College of Dental Medicine.

Colgate-Palmolive Company’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program Florida's mobile dental van

Known as “Give Kids a Smile Day”, the event will provide services such as X-rays, exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and restorations to children between the ages of 2 and 18. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at NSU Health Care Centers’ dental clinic, located at the corner of 30th Street and University Drive in Davie.

“Give Kids A Smile Day” is an annual national event sponsored by the American Dental Association. Each year, thousands of the nation’s dentists and volunteers provide free oral health care services to over 400,000 children from low-income families.

Last year, NSU’s College of Dental Medicine provided $125,000 worth of dental care to the children. This year, there will be more than 200 NSU College of Dental Medicine students and faculty volunteers at “Give Kids A Smile Day.” In addition, children will enjoy a festive atmosphere with face painters, magicians, music, the giant “Timmy the Tooth” mascot, and free toothbrushes.

Colgate-Palmolive Company’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program Florida’s mobile dental van will be there as well. Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures currently offers eight state-of-the-art mobile dental vans which annually provides free oral health education, dental screenings, and treatment referrals to more than 10 million children nationwide in 1,000 cities and towns.

More than 16 million children nationwide have tooth decay, which is 16 million too many. NSU’s “Give Kids A Smile Day” event hopes to improve dental health awareness to children and parents across South Florida.

About 200 children have been referred to the College of Dental Medicine from Boys & Girls clubs in South Florida and local Broward County elementary schools to receive treatment at the event. For children not referred by these two entities, pre-registration for the event is encouraged.

To register, please contact NSU dental student Amanda Buscemi at (954) 300-2122 or GiveKidsASmileDay@gmail.com

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About NSU College of Dental Medicine: Students of the college benefit from our state-of-the-art educational and clinical facilities, which feature the latest in computer and video technology, and from our distinguished professors, recruited from throughout the United States. The college’s facilities, faculty, and dynamic curriculum have attracted worldwide attention. Students and professionals have come from very diverse backgrounds to pursue their courses of study at the college, but outstanding instruction and advanced technology are only means to an end. http://dental.nova.edu/

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 300 beautiful acres in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally with more than 28,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.  www.nova.edu

Media Contact:
Ken Ma, MBA, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5408 (office), 954-621-7961 (cell), ken.ma@nova.edu