It’s almost like a holiday - that’s how important Dental Day is at City Mission Academy. This year the celebration included clowns, games, face painting and songs; but they weren’t the best part of the day.
“The best part of Dental Day is that children, who might not ever get dental care, get the treatment they need,” said Dana Adams, educational director at City Mission Academy. “Plus, the dentists do a lot of education with the kids.”
Our 30 students received free services that ranged from routine tooth cleanings and fillings; to the more serious services of tooth extractions, “baby” root canals and referrals for oral surgery. “We’re talking $20,000 to $30,000 worth of work,” said Kathy Sweeney, program director and City Mission coordinator for Dental Day.
Before joining the staff of City Mission, Sweeney worked in a dental office for 18 years and knows how important dental care is for overall well being.
“The health of your teeth is important to the health of your body,” she said. “If your mouth is not taken care of and you have cavities and things like that, it affects your whole system.”
Sweeney estimates a very small percentage of Brightmoor children receive regular dental care, which is why Dental Day is so important to our students. City Mission has participated in the day since 2003. The program began in 2002 with dentists in St. Louis who wanted to provide dental treatment to children who did not have insurance. The official title is ‘Give Kids A Smile Day’, and its now a nation wide program.
Your support of City Mission Academy and other programs make it possible for us to involve our children in such fundamental events, like Dental Day. Thank you for all the things you do to make a difference in the lives of children and families in Brightmoor.
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