PEMBERTON Burlington County College will offer free dental care to children 12 and younger at its annual "Give Kids a Smile" program on Feb. 7.
The one-day program is sponsored by the college's Dental Hygiene Program and is part of an effort by the American Dental Association to focus attention on combating and preventing tooth decay.
BCC dental hygiene students, alumni and instructors, along with volunteer health-care professionals, will provide children with dental exams and treatment if needed.
In addition to dental care, there will be activities including entertainment, face painting, and an appearance by the tooth fairy.
This marks the 10th that BCC has participated in the program, billed as the largest nationally organized free health-care day in the country. Since 2005, the college said, BCC has donated more than $500,000 worth of care to more than 1,000 patients.
"Last year, BCC helped 99 children and performed 763 procedures worth $48,862," said Linda Hecker, BCC's director of dental hygiene. "This event is so important to our community."
Appointments are required for Give Kids a Smile and can be made by calling 609-894-9311, Ext. 1074. The Dental Hygiene Center at BCC is in the Lewis M. Parker Center, Room 318, on the Pemberton campus, 601 Pemberton-Browns Mills Rd. - Melanie Burney