OHI to Sponsor Give Kids a Smile Dental Program
Nearly one in four children ages of two to 11 have untreated cavities in their baby teeth, creating the potential for pain and disease. What about children whose families cannot afford dental services?
Well, children and their parents will have a reason to smile on Friday, February 3, 2017, because OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives), a federally qualified health center, will be participating in Give Kids a Smile Day, a one-day program, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as part of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the New Jersey Dental Association Foundation’s drive to raise awareness about untreated dental disease and to increase access to oral health care.
In recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month, OHI will be providing free oral health services to children 12 and under at three locations: Lakewood, 101 Second Street; Toms River, 301 Lakehurst Road; and Little Egg Harbor, Oaks Medical Campus,798 Route 539. Building 3. The services are free to children if they do not have insurance. If the family does have insurance, however, the insurance company will be billed.
Many dentists will be donating their time to provide the underserved children of Ocean County, N.J., with free oral health services, such as free dental screenings that include a dental exam, X-rays as needed, oral healthcare instruction, fluoride treatments, and free dental hygiene materials, such as toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste.
Parents must call to schedule an appointment. To schedule an appointment in either English or Spanish call 732-363-6655. For questions, contact Monika Kwiatkowska, dental manager, at 732-363-6655 or mkwiatkowska@ohinj.org.
Throughout the year, OHI offers dental cleanings and full checkups, including X-rays and other screening procedures for children and adults. Dentists are available at the Lakewood and Toms River and Little Egg Harbor sites daily Monday through Friday, beginning at 8:00 a.m.
For more information, visit www.ohinj.org. or call Douglas Clark, marketing manager, at 732-719-9026.
About Ocean Health Initiatives: OHI is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Lakehurst Circle Center II, 686 Route 70 Lakehurst; Oaks Medical Campus,798 Route 539. Building 3, Little Egg Harbor; a health center within the Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue, and Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Avenue, Suite A, Lakewood; and a Mobile Medical Unit. The Lakewood and Manchester sites have pharmacies.
OHI provides comprehensive preventative and primary health and dental care to Ocean County’s insured, uninsured and underinsured populations. A sliding-fee scale is available, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. Services include pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, behavioral health, dental, family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN, podiatry and social services.
OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call 732-363-6655. Visit www.ohinj.org for further information.