Aug 19, 2014 3 min read

Dental exams, health insurance enrollment, free giveaways and a visit from Tami and Tommy Smiley, the Smile for Life twins, will highlight a dental event hosted by Cornerstone Care and United Healthcare. The event is designed to promote good oral health and provide dental exams for children who have not had a dental exam in the past 12 months.

In partnership with United Healthcare, Cornerstone Care Dental and Outreach Departments have been planning the events that will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Pediatric Associates of Washington and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 28 at Central Greene Pediatrics. Cornerstone Care’s dental director, Dr. Charles Connors, will be on hand providing dental exams for children ages 1 to 17.

“It is generally recommended that a child be seen by a dentist by the age of 1 or within 6 months after his or her first tooth coming in,” said Donna Simpson, manager of Outreach at Cornerstone Care. “During the exam, Dr. Connors will check all of your child’s existing teeth for decay, examine your child’s bite, and look for any potential problems with the gums, jaw and oral tissues. If indicated, the dentist will clean any teeth and assess the need for fluoride. He will also educate parents about oral health care basics for children and discuss dental developmental issues and answer any questions. The idea of such early dental visits is still surprising to many new parents. However, national studies have shown that preschool-aged children are getting more cavities. More than 1 in 4 children in the United States has had at least one cavity by the age of 4. Many kids get cavities as early as age 2.”

Connors added, “The conditions of the children’s teeth will affect their health, psychological development and social life. Therefore, parents must not ignore their children’s oral health conditions.”

“Together we can make a difference by improving communication and collaboration between the medical and dental homes and making pediatricians and other health professionals an essential part of the oral health team,” said Dr. Edward Foley of Washington Pediatric Associates.

“We strongly feel that pediatric dental care is essential for giving children the proper foundation for a healthy life, from childhood through adolescence and beyond,” added Dr. Daniel Church, pediatrician from Central Greene Pediatrics. “We both strongly encourage parents to take advantage of this opportunity.”

To register your child, call Jackie at 724-852-1001, ext. 304.