By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
On Feb. 4 Dowagiac dentists Dr. Charles Burling, Dr. Jon Gillesby and Dr. Douglas Johanson joined hundreds of dentists across the state who are members of the Michigan Dental Association in providing free dental services to low-income children around the state.
It's part of the American Dental Association's national "Give Kids a Smile" campaign, where dentists across the United States donated their services that day to children who, because of economic reasons, don't have access to dental care.
For Burling and Gillesby, the major restorative and preventive care they provided represented a contribution valued at $8,000 to 17 youngsters, including numerous root canals.
This is the second year they provided treatment, and the third year of promoting oral hygiene Friday morning to fifth graders at Patrick Hamilton Middle School and St. John's Lutheran School.
One hundred and 92 students were exposed to their cautionary message about swigging sweetened drinks all day or chewing smokeless tobacco.
During last year's "Give Kids a Smile" event in Michigan, more than 300 dentists, hygienists, assistants and volunteers provided more than $504,500 in donated dental care to 7,700 children.
Nationwide, one million children received dental services valued at $100 million at more than 2,500 sites.
Healthy Kids Dental was developed by the Michigan Department of Community Health and provides dental benefits to children under 21 previously covered by the state's Medicaid dental program.
Headquartered in Lansing, the MDA has more than 5,700 members in 26 local dental societies and two dental schools.
Since its founding in 1856, the MDA has sought to educate the public, enhance its members' ability to provide high-quality care and to promote the science and art of dentistry.