Dentist, Goddard School To Participate in Free Dental Health Event for Feb. 3

Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) is the focus of events at The Route 70 Goddard School, on Friday, February 10, 2012. The program is provided through a partnership with Doctors Elisa Velazquez and Linda Insano, of Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates, located at 368 Lakehurst Road in Toms River.

"Give Kids a Smile" is a part of the positive health and safety programs
conducted at the pre-school and child-care center,  in Toms River, since it first opened.  With his event, the children get oral care instruction and free dental hygiene materials including toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste.

Children’s Dental Health Month, celebrated the entire month of February, focuses on providing education, preventive and restorative care to children, their parents, caregivers, teachers and others to raise awareness about the importance of dental care and good oral health.

“Tooth decay is still one of the most common childhood diseases, despite all the
recent improvements in dental care in the United States,” says Sharon Jensen,
the education director at Goddard.

While the first Dental Health observance was originally just a single-day event, it expanded to a week-long event in 1955. Finally, in 1981, the program expanded to a month-long program promoted by the American Dental Association (ADA).

The American Dental Association (ADA), the nation's largest dental association, recommends that adults start dental hygiene with a child’s first tooth, because good oral habits improve overall health. The ADA estimates that some 5 million children have chronic dental problems. 

And, that’s the reason the Goddard School happily encourages children in regular habits like brushing and flossing, dental checkups and a balanced diet, as well. Tooth decay greatly restricts the daily activities of children and results in the
loss of millions of hours from schooling each year, giving children trouble eating, sleeping AND learning.

On *Give Kids a Smile* Day itself, Friday, Feb 3rd, Ocean Pediatric is providing free exams, cleanings, fluoride treatment and emergency treatment for up to 100 new patients under 12 years of age without insurance coverage.  Please call them at (732) 473-1123 for more details. 

 “Giving back to the community is important to us, and we are proud to partner with Goddard in this program,” said Dr. Velazquez.

By participating in this annual celebration of Children’s Dental Health Month along
with Ocean Pediatric, The Goddard School continues its long-running partnership
with members of the health community, parents and others to help keep children
smiling now and for years to come.

For more information about the event or about The Route 70 Goddard School, call (732) 363-5530.