Eighth Annual Give Kids a Smile Program - Remembering Deamonte Driver

The American Dental Association's (ADA) eighth annual Give Kids a Smile program is this Friday, February 5, 2010. The Give Kids a Smile event, to be held at more than 2,000 locations across the country, will provide an estimated 320,000 children with the essential dental treatments they all deserve, for no cost.

The event has seen its share of criticism, as many people feel that it takes more than just one day a year to address issues such as early childhood decay, that is observed in many of the nation's less fortunate children, as well as the lack regular dental care common with many children, from all walks of life, across the country. However, ADA President Ronald L. Tankersley, D.D.S stressed in a press release about the event that "We all know that a one-day event is not a delivery system and cannot solve the ongoing problem of untreated dental disease" adding, "It is important that policymakers at the federal and state level strengthen dental provisions in public health programs to help put children on the road to good oral health."

If you are searching for a Give kids a Smile event in your area, the ADA had a handy search tool for you locate an event in your area. You can also refer to this State-By-State Dental Association list and contact your State's dental association for more information.

Remembering Deamonte

My first experience with Give Kids a Smile as your Guide to Dentistry introduced me to the touching story of a young man named Deamonte Driver. I want to re-share his story with you, in the hopes of preventing this from happening to another child.

On February 25, 2007 a then 12 year old Deamonte Driver from Prince George's County, Md, died from a brain infection. The bacteria from an untreated abscessed molar invaded the child's brain, ultimately causing his unnecessary death. Reports suggest the Mother of the homeless boy had been unsuccessful in locating a dentist that would treat Deamonte, because his Medicade coverage lapsed. Dental organizations across the country suggest that a simple $80.00 procedure may have prevented his untimely death. Determined to prevent another tragedy similar to that of Deamonte Driver, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) introduced H.R. 462, the Medicaid-SCHIP Dental Benefits Improvement Act of 2009 to improve children's access to dental care, on January 13, 2009. Congressman Cummings states, in a press release, "Deamonte's death exposed a huge chasm in our nation's health coverage for children, and this legislation is critical in ensuring that we bring life from this young man's death," adding "There is no excuse for what happened to Deamonte Driver, and the fault lies with every single one of us for letting him slip through the cracks," and "It is critical that we move forward and enact these common sense proposals to establish a safety net to catch all of the other Deamontes out there."

According to their website, The Deamonte Driver Dental Project was was established to provide "grassroots solutions to a children's' dental health crisis." For more information on the project, visit their website, and learn how you can help.