BUFFALO, N.Y. – More than 800 children and parents will be guided by “tooth
fairies” and other “dental heroes” through the award-winning Teddy Bear Clinic
onto dental treatment and cleanings at the University at Buffalo School of
Dental Medicine’s 13th annual “Give Kids a Smile Day.”
The proceedings will take place in the Squire Hall lobby and dental clinics
on the first and third floors of the dental school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
Friday, Feb. 7, at UB’s South Campus.
South Campus Maps: http://www.buffalo.edu/buildings/maps/SouthCampus.pdf
In addition to UB Provost Charles F. Zukoski, special guests who will be in
attendance this year are Erie County Commissioner of Health Gale R. Burstein,
MD, and City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.
Mayor Brown will deliver his annual proclamation endorsing this day as “Give
Kids a Smile Day.”
Of the 800 students visiting the dental clinics, 400 are Head Start
children.
Mr. Tooth will be on hand to pose for photos with the kids.
According to M. Dian ChinKit-Wells, DDS, clinical assistant professor in the
UB Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry, this year’s activities have
a new theme.
“This year our theme is ‘Super smiles brought to you courtesy of your dental
hero’ because anyone who volunteers or participates to make this day a success
is a dental hero,” said Wells, who has presided over the Give Kids a Smile Day
activities for several years.
“Again this year, we are taking the temperatures and recording the weight of
the schoolchildren to get a more complete picture of each child’s general
health,” she added.
While children wait for their appointments, they will watch Teddy Bears get
dental treatment and will also be offered hands-on activities, dental videos,
games and oral health instruction and visits by local sports mascots.
The event is held in partnership with the American Dental Association, the
New York State Dental Association and the 8th District Dental Society.
Several hundred volunteers, including UB dental school faculty, staff and
students; private dentists and their staff are donating their time to provide
dental care.
The event is part of a national effort to teach children to establish good
dental health habits while young, in order to avoid major oral health problems
later in life.
Media arrangements: Sara Saldi in the UB Office of University Communications
at 716-645-4593 and saldi@buffalo.edu or
onsite (8:30 a.m. to noon) at 716-597-8434.
Parking is available in the Squire, Tower and Michael-Farber lots. (On the
online map, Squire Hall is number 19 and its lot is right next to the building
– valet parking is available; Farber Hall is 25 and Michael Hall is 26 and
their lot is between them.)
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive
public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State
University of New York. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic
interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree
programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the
Association of American Universities.