Davis Vision, United Concordia Free Clinic Promotes Children's Eye and Den...( Buffalo NY Eye Care & Dental Profess...),Health

Buffalo, NY, Eye Care & Dental Professionals Kick off Year-Long Initiative

PLAINVIEW, N.Y., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- For 40 children in Buffalo, NY, the world is about to become brighter. That's the number of children whose vision problems were uncovered by volunteers recently at the first of Davis Vision's 2008 free vision screening clinics.

Co-sponsored by the Buffalo Bills, the event attracted 100 children ages 5 through 16 from all over Buffalo. Chaperones from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Buffalo transported the children by bus to the clinic, held at the Club's south-side location. The children were welcomed by Bills mascot Billy Buffalo and vision screeners and representatives from Empire Vision and its parent company, Davis Vision. In addition, United Concordia network dentists, as well as volunteer dental students from the University at Buffalo's dental school, gave students complete oral screenings and instruction on oral health care. Each parent will also receive a follow-up report and recommended follow- up treatment if necessary.

The clinic gave the children the opportunity to have a positive experience with a dentist in a non-threatening environment. "During this visit, we evaluated the children's oral health and taught them how to take care of their teeth," said James Shade, director, Professional Relations, for United Concordia. "Visiting them in a familiar location relieves some of the apprehension many children have about visiting the dentist."

Each of the 40 children who did not do well on the eye test was given a voucher for a free follow-up comprehensive examination and free eyeglasses at an Empire Vision location. Their resulting improved eyesight is expected to boost the children's school performance as well as their intellectual and social development.

"We would like to see every child reach his or her potential -- in school and in life," said Joseph Carlomusto, Davis Vision's president and chief ex
'/>"/>