The purpose was to bring dental care to kids in a community who may not have access to it.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Friday, some students in Charlotte received free dental care during an event put on by TeamSmile and other organizations at Druid Hills Academy.
The goal was to bring dental service to kids in a community that may not have access to it. North Carolina data shows one out of every five kindergarten-aged students have tooth decay. In Mecklenburg County, roughly 25% of children are found to have untreated cavities, most of them coming from low-income families.
“There are students and children all across America but particularly in our metropolitan [area] in Charlotte who might not have access to dental care,” said Andrea Frohning, an event organizer with Dentsply Sirona.
Local dentists, dental organizations, dental schools, and volunteers brought together $800,000 worth of services to provide necessary care to students. That care spanned from cleanings and cavity fillings to extractions – services that could typically cost thousands of dollars.
Organizers said these services will go a long way in these student’s lives.
“We’re doing this service because we know how important it is for students to have good oral health — which leads to good attendance in school,” shared Tangela Williams, an event organizer and Program Chairman with the Uplift Your Local Committee of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Rho Psi Omega Chapter.
If your child needs dental care, Mecklenburg County is hosting a similar event on February 8, 2025. Click here for more details.
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
