By Mackenzie Meleski

Smiles and the spirit of giving were shining bright recently as Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry served more than 80 Richmond-area children and their families at its annual Give Kids a Smile event.

On Feb. 21, as part of National Children’s Dental Health Month, the school hosted one of its leading service initiatives in the Pediatric Dental Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. The total value of donated patient care was $59,190, through services that included dental cleanings, sealant applications, tooth extractions, crown placements and more.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is the leading chronic disease affecting school-age children. Those with poor oral health miss more school and receive lower grades compared with healthier classmates, and the issue disproportionately impacts children from lower-income households. 

Give Kids a Smile strives to fill a need for oral health care among the community’s underinsured families. Paula Coates, D.D.S., an assistant professor in the VCU School of Dentistry’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry, has been involved with the event for several years. 

VCU dental students take a prominent role in organizing Give Kids a Smile. Volunteering for this annual event allows them to strengthen their clinical skills and give back to the community.  (VCU School of Dentistry)

“Children who receive the benevolent care provided at these events have their lives changed,” Coates said. “They may be able to finally sleep through the night without pain, concentrate better in school or finally eat a meal without wincing from discomfort. For the providers providing care, giving back to the most vulnerable and precious in our community, the reward is priceless.”

The VCU School of Dentistry worked with schools and other community partners to identify underinsured families and children in need of dental care. Event volunteers include VCU students, faculty, dental residents and staff.

“It is very rewarding to see a child walk into our clinic in pain but leave smiling once our providers were able to address their problem,” Coates said. “It is also humbling and satisfying to see the relief on the faces of the parents/guardians once they understand that the work we plan to do that day is of no cost to them.”

Students take a prominent role in organizing Give Kids a Smile. According to Coates, planning begins a year in advance and is a year-round endeavor. Students work closely with pediatric dental faculty and residents to learn about treating children.

 In addition to providing dental care, volunteers talk to families about the importance of healthy dietary habits and maintaining oral health at an early age. (VCU School of Dentistry)

For many students, working with Give Kids a Smile plays an important role in their education and service learning throughout their four years of dental school. Fourth-year dental student Nathan Maloney has been a volunteer with Give Kids a Smile since his first year, and he has grown from mentee to a mentor to other student volunteers. He said the event strengthens his skills and lets him give back to the community.

“I was very lucky to have some great mentors in my early days of volunteering,” Maloney said. “It’s very rewarding to get to pay that back. I’ve become a better provider and a leader.”

He added that Give Kids a Smile serves a very specific yet often overlooked need in the community – one that has lifetime benefits.

“One common misconception we hear a lot is that taking care of baby teeth isn’t as important because they’ll fall out anyway,” Maloney said. “However, the state of pediatric dentition really affects the habits and development of adult dentition as well. We also spend a lot of time with the parents, talking about healthy dietary habits to instill in kids that can carry into adulthood. It’s important to start caring about your oral health at an early age.”

VCU students, faculty, dental residents and staff volunteer for the annual Give Kids a Smile event. (VCU School of Dentistry)

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