Kids’ dental clinic all smiles

A trip to the dentist isn’t on the top of anyone’s list of favorite things.

But, if you’re among the low income or underinsured children in our state, fear of the dentist is the least of your worries. With over 275,000 kids in Washington state living in families who can’t afford a trip to the dentist, the long-term risk to their general health is much greater than the short-term pain of a cavity.

In an attempt to meet this ever growing need, the SmileMobile, a partnership of the Washington Dental Service, The Washington Dental Association and the Washington Dental Service Foundation is bringing their mobile dental clinic to Lowell Elementary in Everett next week. They’ll set up shop and offer services to children age 13 or younger who meet their income eligibility requirements. An outreach program has already begun to identify those children who might benefit from a trip through the SmileMobile.

Along with general dental work, there’s an emphasis on preventative care and educating kids on proper oral hygiene. At a time when these types of services are in short supply, this program should bring smiles to many young faces.