submitted by Ottawa County, Michigan

(HOLLAND, MI.) – On Friday, February 4, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) will participate in Give Kids a Smile Day at the Holland Language Academy. Held annually on the first Friday of February during National Children’s Dental Health Month, Give Kids a Smile Day provides underserved children with free oral health care at events across the United States. The event also raises awareness about the number of children with unmet dental needs and the obstacles they face when seeking dental care.

In Ottawa County, Dr. Scott VanSlambrouck will volunteer his day and provide comprehensive dental services on the OCDPH Miles of Smiles mobile dental unit for Medicaid insured and financially qualifying uninsured children at the school. In addition, every child at the Holland Language Academy will receive an oral health gift bag complete with a toothbrush, toothpaste and oral health education materials to take home to parents.

Partners of the Miles of Smiles program working to improve the health of children include dentist and hygienist volunteers, school administrators, dental society members, community members and donors, Ottawa County Administration, and the Ottawa County Department of Public Health.

If your child is Medicaid-insured or without dental insurance and in need of dental care, please call 616 393-5694 to see if your child qualifies for Miles of Smiles dental services.

Learn more about Miles of Smiles here, or visit miottawa.org/dental.