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2008 Give Kids
A Smile (GKAS)
February 9, 2008
at
University of New Haven
Dental Hygiene School.
On
Saturday March 3, 2007, 21 dentists, 6 dental hygienists
and 9 dental assistants and 30 dental hygiene students
spent the day at the University of
New Haven School of Dental Hygiene providing free
dental care to nearly 100 children. Their efforts
were part of a statewide outreach program aimed to
assist the underserved child population.
Dr.
Gary Rappaport, chairman of the event, spearheaded the
day at UNH. “We had fun and provided $ 30,000 of
dental care. It was a rewarding experience.” Also
active in planning the activity were: Dr. Gerald
Alexander, president of the New Haven Dental
Association; Sandy Palumbo RDH, director of the hygiene
program at UNH; Dr. Jack Berns; and Sharon McCreven and
Elaine Spinato of the New Haven Oral Health Coalition,
the faculty at UNH School of Dental Hygiene and Mr. Mike
Gantos from the Sullivan Schein Dental Supply Company.
“I’m
so proud of my colleagues and appreciate the efforts of
all who participated, “said Dr. Alexander. “ The
event was such a positive experience that we may need to
have a waiting list of volunteers for next year. The
enthusiasm for the event was outstanding.” Plans for
next year’s event are already underway.
Give
Kids A Smile is an effort to
reach some of the many underserved youth who could be
served by the Husky program. Extremely low reimbursement
rates have kept participation by CT dentists in Husky to
a minimum. Currently the State Legislature is
considering raising the rates to the 70th
percentile. “If that happens, we know that at least
400 additional dentists will sign up to participate in
Husky,” said Dr. Berns. “The increased rates are
long overdue, but a big step in the right direction.”
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