Delta Dental Financial Support Helps ODA Members Serve Childr...( COLUMBUS Ohio Jan. 21 -- A $7000...),Health

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A $7,000 grant awarded by the Delta Dental Fund will help fund educational materials and Toothprint impressions provided by Ohio Dental Association members to Ohio children for the sixth annual Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) day. GKAS is a children's access to dental care event in which dentists and other volunteers provide free dental services to underserved children. This year's event kicks off February 1, 2008, with many events held throughout the year.

Dr. Henry Fields, president of the Ohio Dental Association, said Delta Dental's commitment to helping educate children and parents helps dentistry spread the very important message that maintaining good oral health will positively impact good overall health. Fields said Delta's assistance will help address the bigger picture in preventing dental disease around Ohio during annual Give Kids A Smile activities. "One of our partners in dental health, Delta Dental, has provided us with support for Give Kids A Smile day by again graciously and generously underwriting some of our efforts," Fields said.

Part of the grant awarded by Delta Dental will enable hundreds of Ohio children to receive Toothprints. Toothprints, because of the unique properties of a child's biteprint, can be used as a means of identification in the unfortunate circumstance of an unidentified child.

The grant will also help cover the cost of the ODA booklet "Brushing up on Smiles," which educates parents on why children should routinely see a dentist and establish a dental home. The booklet also covers the causes of cavities and the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene, and explains who patients see during dental office visits. This booklet is also available online at http://www.oda.org/upload/brushingup.pdf.

"Hopefully, our efforts during Give Kids a Smile day will not only address dental
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