Friday was the American Dental Association’s annual Give Kids a Smile Day, when dentists around the country volunteer their services to kids who cannot otherwise afford professional dental care. Dental Solutions of Warsaw and Orange Door Dental Group of Warsaw and Elkhart were two of the offices that participated in the event locally. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting American children, according to information from Orange Door. It is five times more common than asthma, according to a report by the U.S. Surgeon General, and more than 51 million school hours are lost due to dental-related illness. The ADA recommends children see a dentist twice a year and no later than their first birthday, but for many families this is not possible. That’s why dentists nationwide participate in Give Kids a Smile Day. Dental Solutions on Friday saw 21 children who did not have dental insurance or Medicaid, resulting in a donation of more than $9,200 worth of dentistry. The kids received dental services including exams, professional cleanings, digital X-rays, fluoride treatments, dental fillings, extractions, root canals and crowns. Dr. Bill Stofer and Dr. Jason Hemphill donated their time, along with 14 other staff members with Dental Solutions. They were helped by local school nurses who called the office with the names of children in need. Christiaan Willig, DDS, with Orange Door, has been practicing dentistry for 13 years and seeing patients at his Elkhart office since April 2007 and Warsaw office since 2012. He said he is proud to be able to offer quality dental care to children unable to obtain care elsewhere through the Give Kids A Smile program. His office donated complete checkups, X-rays, cleaning, fluoride treatments and restorative treatments, allowing up to two hours per child of free dental care. Several dental supply companies also donated disposable items to be used Friday.
