Project MOVE: National 'Give Kids a Smile Day'

In honor of "Dental Health Month," and as part of the American Dental Association’s national Give Kids a Smile Day, The Greater Houston Dental Society and The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston joined forces to provide oral healthcare to underserved children. With the help of Dr. Peggy O'Neill, UT's Associate Dean of Patient Care and Ms. Jennifer Smith, of GHDS, CIS' Project MOVE was able to help 50 families receive free dental care that would not normally qualify for Project MOVE's services.

“Many kids in our city don’t get the routine dental care that they need. The result is sometimes tooth pain or a reluctance to smile", says CIS Board Member, Dr. Ann Smith Barnes. “These outcomes can negatively affect a child’s self-esteem and how they perform in school.” Dr. Barnes has been actively involved in the evolution of CIS’s dental collaboration. She says, “Project MOVE, CIS’ partnership with the University of Texas Dental School has helped children throughout the city by providing preventive care to elementary school children and restorative care to students with more serious dental needs.” There is a note of pride in her voice as she describes the services participants receive. It's no accident that Give Kids a Smile Day was held on Valentine’s Day. As Dr. Barnes notes, “Maintaining and restoring smiles... now that’s a service that makes us all happy!”