Kool Smiles Joins Governor O'Malley to Announce New Healthy S...( SEAT PLEASANT Md. S...),Health

SEAT PLEASANT, Md., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Kool Smiles, a leading dental health network focused on providing oral care to underserved children and adults, proudly joined Governor Martin O'Malley, the Deamonte Driver Dental Project and other network dental providers today to announce the Governor O'Malley's Healthy Smiles Tour, a new statewide initiative designed to promote positive oral health and hygiene among Maryland's children.

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"Providing kids with a dental home, regardless of parents' income or socio-economic status, is Kool Smiles' number one priority," stated Dr. Ashley Nichols of Kool Smiles, who joined Governor O'Malley in announcing the new public/private partnership today. "We are therefore honored and excited to be part of Governor O'Malley's efforts to decrease the hurdles of access to quality oral care. We have great expectations for this new public/private partnership and applaud the governor for his efforts to ensure that every child in the state of Maryland has access to quality dental care."

Governor O'Malley has spearheaded initiatives to increase access to dental care for Maryland's children in the wake of the death of Deamonte Driver. Driver, who was on Medicaid, passed away due to complications stemming from a toothache. His mother had difficulty finding a dentist to see him and his brother.

"Together, we have resolved to do everything within our power to prevent avoidable tragedies like the loss of Deamonte Driver, who passed away when an untreated toothache last year," said Governor O'Malley. "That's why today, we're announcing the kick off of the 'Healthy Smiles' dental tour to promote awareness
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