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| AISD Student Health Services Tracy Lunoff and St. David's Foundation Chairman Earl Maxwell helped kick off Smile Week with a big brush! |
Today, St. David’s Foundation kicked off “Smile Week” to celebrate 15 years of providing free dental services to Austin’s low income children. More than 33,000 students in our district have received free dental care on St. David’s vans over the last ten years. During this time, our students have received dental care that would otherwise have cost more than $16 million!
As the country’s largest mobile dental program that provides free dental care, the St. David’s program serves as a model for the entire country, and our students here in Austin are so fortunate to benefit from this leadership. St. David's just added three new vans, bringing the total number to nine. These vans go to high-needs elementary schools in the region, and offer dental services to every student in the school. Students receive x-rays, examinations, cleanings, sealants, and fillings as part of their treatment.
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| St. David's dental hygienist Ashley Nichols loves her work with our kids. |
In our district, nearly two out of three students in our district come from families that are economically disadvantaged. Some reports show that about one-third of students from low-income families are reported to have untreated tooth decay. For these students, the mobile van may be the first opportunity to receive teeth cleanings and protective sealants that other families often take for granted as part of good dental hygiene.
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| Inside the van, it looks just like a dentist's office. |
Good dental hygiene that starts early can make an enormous difference for all of our students not just when they’re in school, but throughout their lives. Free, on-site dental care is not only a gift, it is an investment that will pay dividends in the form of better dental health for many years to come.
I want to encourage our students to take care of their smiles by brushing their teeth regularly and eating healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Hats off to the St. David’s Foundation for helping us all to have a healthy smile!
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| Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Earl Maxwell, and former AISD Board Chair Mark Williams helped me put on our smiles. |
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| St. David's Foundation Board Member and Singer Ray Benson wrote his own Smile Week lyrics. |