Ann Arbor, MI - January 12, 2009 - Dental and dental hygiene students, along with faculty from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, will provide a range of free oral health care services to children from low-income families on Saturday, February 7. The services will be offered as a part of the American Dental Association's annual "Give Kids a Smile" program.

Dental student Brittany Mailloux gives a 7-year-old a mirror and instructs her on the correct way to brush her teeth during last year's Give Kids a Smile program at the School of Dentistry.

Between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., at the U-M School of Dentistry (1011 N. University Avenue, on the Central Campus) dental and dental hygiene students, who will be supervised by faculty, will provide cleanings, simple fillings, x-rays, and sealants on a first-come, first-served basis. It is not necessary for parents or guardians to make an appointment.

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and is limited to the first 100 children. Children between the ages of 5 and 12 will be seen and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Children who participate will receive a free oral health kit containing toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and information on maintaining good oral health.

Free parking will be offered on the upper level of the Fletcher Street parking structure adjacent to the School of Dentistry. Although participants will have to pull a ticket from the ticket machine, no payment will be due. To exit, pull up to the gate when leaving and it will automatically lift.

For more information about the "Give Kids a Smile" day at the U-M School of Dentistry, call (734) 763-6933 or (888) 707-2500. This year's program at the School of Dentistry is made possible with gifts from Colgate, the Michigan Dental Association, and the Washtenaw District Dental Society.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit us on the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

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