Everybody understands the message in a smile – it’s part of a universal human language. But if you suffer from tooth decay, offering a smile may not be as easy. The best way to prevent that is with oral and dental care that begins in childhood.
On February 24th, Tzu Chi partnered with the Queens County Dental Society (QCDS) to provide free oral screenings and instructions on oral hygiene to elementary school students at PS 201 in Pomonok, a working class neighborhood in Queens, New York.
The QCDS is part of the New York State Dental Association, which in turn is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA). This event was part of ADA’s national Give Kids a Smile program, under which dentists across the country partner with others in their community to provide dental services to underserved children. Sucha preventative measures are vital:
Children who don’t see a dentist are more likely to miss school because of infected teeth and gums. They grow into adults with severe oral health problems. Dental disease can be prevented and can only get worse if untreated.
Eight dentists offered their services at the event – the volunteer doctors were members of TIMA (Tzu Chi International Medical Association) or the QCDS.
In total 212 students from PS201Qs were attended to, then received oral hygiene kits (mouth mirror, tooth brush and paste) as a gift to encourage continued oral hygiene.
