Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine students and faculty kicked off National Children’s Dental Health month by attending Give Kids A Smile events organized by local dental organizations, Nassau County Dental Society and Suffolk County Dental Society. Children that attended from Long Island communities were provided with free dental screenings, cleanings and fluoride treatments.

Students from the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead for the Give Kids A Smile event organized bu Suffolk County Dental Society.

The Give Kids A Smile program, launched nationally by the American Dental Association in 2003, has helped to bring more than 5.5 million underserved children free oral health services.

Each year, Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine supports the two February events held locally in addition to leading its own back-to-school event in August in its Dental Care Center.

“I consider myself unbelievably lucky to have the opportunity to participate in three Give Kids A Smile events annually,” said student Erin Down. “Though each event is just one day, the lasting impact of helping a child find a dental home is the true success of these missions.”

Erin, who attended the Nassau County Dental Society’s event at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Nassau County, served alongside more than 300 volunteers to provide care to over 900 children.

Dr. Dimitrios Kilimitzoglou, Clinical Associate Professor at the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, described the event as the pinnacle of philanthropy, education and community outreach. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved: our dental students, the patients that we treat, and all of the volunteers who donate their skills and time.”

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