GKAS is a big hit in Denver

Seth, age 5, was one of 300 children to attend the 6th annual Give Kids A Smile held Feb. 1 at the University of Colorado Denver School of Dental Medicine. Seth and his sister, Camila, age 3, had fun learning to brush Sammy the Sabre’s teeth as they waited to be seen by the volunteers.

ADA Executive Director James B. Bramson called GKAS the Association’s “signature event.”

UCSD served as host to the national event鈥攚hich aims to get parents and children thinking about oral health year-round鈥?and saw more than 60 dentists and 110 dental students volunteer.

“We’re honored to host this event this year,” said Dr. Jeanne Salcetti, Colorado Dental Association president. “An estimated 7.8 million of school hours are lost every year in Colorado because of oral pain and infection. The CDA is eager to address these issues and Give Kids A Smile Day is a vehicle to bring attention to the unmet dental need in our state.”

Statewide, thousands of children received care from some 250 dentist volunteers, estimated Molly Pereira, CDA associate executive director.

ADA Treasurer Edward Leone, from the Denver area, was one of the volunteers on site at the dental school.

“It’s a nice environment and a gratifying experience,” he said. “To get into this environment and see what our students are learning is very impressive.”

Nationally, more than 51,000 dentists volunteered in more than 2,000 locations.

“This has become one of our most honored and most treasured days of the year,” said Tim Sullivan, president, Henry Schein Dental, and whose company donated thousands of dental professional product kits to GKAS events all over the country. “The biggest reward of this whole program is seeing the big smiles on the tiniest of faces.”

Dr. Foti Panagakos, director of professional relations, clinical studies for Colgate-Palmolive Co. (the GKAS national consumer product sponsor), recalled a past GKAS event when he was a dental educator and participant in Newark, N.J.

“It was very moving,” he said. “This day is so important to make a statement.”

Seeing the face of a child in pain isn’t something easily forgotten, says Candy Ross, director of clinical affairs for DEXIS, which for the sixth year has donated the use of 50 dental radiographic equipment for GKAS across the country.

She recalled a little girl who had “the worst case of baby bottle syndrome” she’d ever seen. The little girl was in pain and it was her grandmother, who’d learned about Give Kids A Smile from a flyer, who brought her for treatment.

Ms. Ross called that GKAS experience from last year her “a-ha” moment in the profession. “We’re honored to be here,” she said.

“The thing that impresses me about GKAS is that everyone has such a positive attitude,” CDA Executive Director Gary Cummins said.

“We try and get our kids to the dentist every six months but it doesn’t always happen,” said April Sillemon, a first-time participant and parent. “I’m so glad we could come here today.”

Mrs. Sillemon and her husband brought their four children, Jeffrey, 16; Jacob, 14; Jocelyn, 8; and Jadah, 7, to the CU School.

Feb. 1 wasn’t just a trip to the dentist for Jadah鈥攊t was also her birthday.

The newly turned 7-year-old was well-behaved as the volunteers talked to her mother about her teeth and how to take care of them.

“It doesn’t hurt,” Jadah said. “Good.”

Most of the children received exams and prophys but the volunteers also did restorations. For those needing it, parents were counseled on where to receive follow-up care.

This year, instead of including travel-sized toothpaste, Colgate gave out full-sized products in hopes of keeping children in the habit of brushing.

As Sarah Upbin, associate brand manager for Colgate pointed out, Colgate isn’t “expecting to get them to come back” as customers.

“It’s about getting products to the kids,” she explained.

Added Dr. Panagakos, “Most of these kids aren’t going to get more toothpaste.”

Others who helped usher in the Colorado event included:

• Dr. Kenneth Versman, 14th District ADA trustee.
• Dr. Jeff Hurst, CDA president elect; Dr. Tom Pixley, secretary; Dr. Pasco Scarpella, Treasurer; and Dr. Kevin Sessa, Speaker of the House.
• Dr. Denise Kassebaum, UCSD dean.
• Dr. Randy Kluender, a pediatric dentist and UCSD associate dean who directs the GKAS program.
• Nancy Spence, Colorado state senator, (R-District 27.)
• Dr. Major Tappan, CDA dentist and creator of Total Oral Prevention Strategies.