Give Kids a Smile

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Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) is a one-day event where dentists, dental staff and community volunteers donate their time to provide free dental care to children who do not have a dentist.  The event will provide participating children with preventative treatment such as exams, cleanings, sealants and fluoride varnish.

GKAS is organized by Faxton St. Luke’s Dental Health Center and the Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network. It is made possible by grants from the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area.

The Give Kids a Smile 2011 event helped 166 children!

2012 Event Information

Give Kids A Smile will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012, from 9am to 1pm at six different locations in Oneida, Madison and Herkimer counties.

Who Can Participate

Children between the ages of 4 and 10 who do not have a dentist can participate in the GKAS program.

An appointment is necessary to participate in the GKAS event. To nominate your child or another who may benefit from the program, call the Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network at (315) 732-4657 ext. 226 or toll-free at 1-877-267-6193 ext. 226.

Ways to Support GKAS

There are many ways to support GKAS.  Find one that works best for you or your organization and help to make dental care a reality for the children of Oneida and Madison Counties.

• Nominate children who can benefit from this event.

• Become a Food Sponsor - Donate funds or healthy snacks that can be used to provide lunch for the event’s 75 volunteers.

• Become an Incentives Sponsor - Donate funds to help us provide oral health gift bags for families and children who participate in the event.

• Donate Your Time - You can also support the Oneida-Madison GKAS event by donating your time to the project. Volunteers will be needed prior to the event to confirm appointments, fill goodie bags and patient folders and prepare the operatories for the event.

• “Adopt A Smile” - Encourage your private dentist to accept new patients as part of our Adopt a Smile initiative which will secure dental homes for participating children.