Every year hundreds of children and their parents fill the dental clinics in the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo on the first Friday in February for the annual "Give Kids a Smile" day event.

Children from across Western New York who do not have access to dental care receive dental treatment free of charge on this day, as part of the UB Dental School's Community Outreach Programs.

Children ages 1-18 (who do not have access to dental care) from local Head Start centers, elementary, middle and high schools are transported to the Dental School. Private appointments are also encouraged.   Over 180 volunteer dental faculty members, dental alumni, hygienists, dental assistants, residents, and dental students provide dental exams, fluoride treatments, X-rays, sealants, oral hygiene instruction, consultations and referrals as needed.

For the children from the Bethel Head Start Program, a "Teddy Bear Clinic" is provided where doctors, social workers and specialists in vision, speech, hearing and nutrition, "examine" stuffed animals to help put the children at ease with exam procedures and familiarize them with medical professionals.

The toys are donated by Fisher-Price through the Mattel Children's Foundation and by the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network.

Demonstrations on hand washing and information on lead poisoning and its prevention are provided along with oral hygiene instruction. 

The Buffalo event is part of a national effort to encourage children to adopt good oral health habits early on, so they can avoid major problems later.   The event is supported nationally by the American Dental Association, Colgate, Dexis and Henry Schein, and locally supported by the Eighth District Dental Society as well as the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to our program, please contact our program outreach coordinator and the UB Smile Team at 716-861-3593.