In response to the American Dental Association's (ADA) inaugural Give Kids A Smile! Day, dentists from the Greater Cleveland Dental Society, the Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry and other professionals across Ohio are joining together to bring smiles to the faces of needy children in their communities.

Give Kids a Smile Day is February 21. The Cleveland event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at CWRU's dental clinic.

Volunteer dentists from the Greater Cleveland Dental Society are joining in partnership with the Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry to serve an estimated 250 children from Cleveland Boys & Girls Clubs on that day. Area dentists, along with the dental school, dental students, staff and faculty are volunteering to provide screening, cleaning, education and other services to these youth.

President of the Greater Cleveland Dental Society, Tom Kelly, said working in partnership with the CWRU School of Dentistry provides the members in private practice with a site to hold a large-scale event-and an opportunity to work closely with future dentists.

"We could not care for the numbers of children that we will on February 21 without the generosity of the school of dentistry, which is literally closing its largest clinic on that day to all but our event," Kelly said. "The hope of the Greater Cleveland Dental Society is to help as many kids as we can this day, and the terrific help and spirit from everyone at CWRU—the students, faculty and staff—will make this possible."

Ronald l. Occhionero, associate dean of clinical affairs at CWRU School of Dentistry and a past president of the Ohio Dental Association, said the University's role in an event such as this day is another important step in improving access to dental care for children in Cleveland.

"Dental schools such as the schools at Case Western Reserve University and Ohio State University have the facilities to undertake and support these community service efforts through in-kind services," Occhionero said. "This effort continues CWRU's focus on being a good neighbor to Cleveland and the people in its neighborhoods."

Many youth served in large-scale events in Ohio will come from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Ohio. Gregory Ashe, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs in Cleveland-there are six units-hopes this event is the start of an ongoing relationship between Cleveland dentists and the young people served by the clubs.

It is especially important, Ashe said, that children be provided with the oral health education and services that will contribute to their overall physical wellness and sense of confidence that a healthy smile can bring.

"We know that good dental habits formed during the primary school years will help our children enjoy good dental health for a lifetime," Ashe said. "This is a blessing. Some of our children may be receiving professional service and education for the first time."

Similar programs and volunteer efforts will be held throughout the state this week, with children educated on the basics and importance of oral health care and provided with a range of oral health services. All children provided with education or any dental service or care receive a Crest Healthy Smiles Kit that includes toothpaste and toothbrush, activity sheets, stickers and parent brochures on good oral health for their children.

A new annual event to help underserved children across the country, Give Kids A Smile! Day is an initiative in which dentists and other dental professionals will provide oral health care education and services to at-risk children or those from low-income families; these are children who otherwise would not seek or afford such services. It is expected that thousands of dentists and other dental volunteers throughout the country will participate on this day; hundreds of Ohio dentists and other dental professionals have indicated their support for the program.

The Healthy Smile Kits were donated by Procter & Gamble of Cincinnati. Give Kids A Smile! Day is supported nationally by Procter & Gamble (Crest), Sullivan Schein Dental Supply, Ivoclar Vivadent and ProVision Dental Systems Inc. In Ohio, the program is supported by the Ohio Dental Association, the Delta Dental Plan of Ohio and Alliance of the Ohio Dental Association.