Dentists give kids day of free care

East Vancouver — Kaiser Permanente gave free dental and medical care to about 200 uninsured and underinsured children recently as part of Give Kids A Smile, a national program started in 2003 by the American Dental Association. Kaiser Permanente served children on Feb. 7 in Oregon and Washington, including at the organization’s Cascade Park Dental Office in Vancouver. The day was offered in conjunction with National Children’s Dental Health Month and in partnership with the American Dental Association. Throughout the day, doctors provided free dental sealants, fluoride varnishes and vaccinations, totaling more than $80,000 in treatment, said Sierra Bray of Kaiser. They also treated issues such as a decaying baby teeth and filling cavities, along with giving parents tips on keeping their children’s teeth clean and healthy. “That’s a crucial part of being in the profession that we’re in: giving parents the building blocks they need to be able to care for their children’s teeth at home. It’s great to be able to show them and not just tell them what to do,” said Linh Vo-Cheng, a pediatric dentist at the Cascade Park Dental Office and Give Kids a Smile volunteer in a press release. “It’s nice to be able to have these opportunities that fulfill you emotionally and personally.”