The Community Based Care of Central Florida, with the assistance of the Florida Dental Association Foundation, provided free dental care to about 80 Central Florida foster children at the fourth annual Project: Dentists Care event in June. It was held at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center as part of the Florida Dental Association Convention.
Foster children often lack access to regular dental care. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 35 percent of children and teens go into foster care with prominent dental and oral health problems. During the clinic, dentists and hygienists volunteered their time to perform cleanings, X-rays and extractions. They also provided foster parents with referrals to dentists and oral surgeons for follow-up visits.
“Connecting our children to quality healthcare is an important part of our mission to engage, protect and inspire every child, every day,” Glen Casel, president and CEO of Community Based Care of Central Florida says. “We’re thankful to the dental professionals who donated their time and expertise to help improve the well-being of the kids we serve.”