(KMJ) – As many as 300 children from Fresno and Central unified school districts will receive free dental services as TeamSmile returns to Fresno State from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Fresno State’s South Gym.
This is the eighth year Fresno State has teamed up with TeamSmile to provide area children with free oral care and educate them on proper dental hygiene. For many of these children, selected by the school districts, this event will be the first time they will receive dental treatment.
Children are treated for cleanings, cavities, root canals and tooth extractions. All children will receive a full dental examination, including preventative education on oral hygiene and dietary instructions.
Fresno County ranks among the top five U.S. regions with the highest percentage of residents living below the poverty line, and it is estimated that low-income children are two times as likely to suffer from tooth decay.
Over 20 dentists, 15 dental hygienists and about 40 dental assisting students will lend their services, with a majority coming from the Fresno-Madera Dental Society and Henry Schein Dental. Students from Fresno State’s Pre-Dental Club and dental hygiene students from Reedley College will return as volunteers.
Bringing TeamSmile to Fresno State each year costs organizers about $11,000. Funding for the event comes from various private donations, along with proceeds from an annual community softball tournament held at Fresno State earlier this year. The Fresno-Madera Dental Society donated $2,000 to fund the event. As an added bonus, each participant receives tickets to attend a Fresno State football game.
