Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Celebrates Healthy Smiles Week by Offering FREE School Dental Screenings for Illinois Children!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2007
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Celebrates Healthy Smiles Week by Offering FREE School Dental Screenings for Illinois Children!
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Partners with U of I Dental Students to Provide FREE Dental Screenings and Oral Education.
Champaign, IL – On Saturday, October 13, 2007, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be providing FREE School Dental Screenings for Illinois school children at the Marketplace Mall in Champaign. These screening will be available from 10:00am – 6:00pm in the Marketplace Mall at the intersection of Macy’s, The Finish Line, and the Mall Food Court. Healthy Smiles, a group of dental students from the University of Illinois will be presenting a short entertaining children’s oral education presentation every hour from 11:00am – 5:00pm.
The simple 5 minute screening will be available for all children ages 3-18 that are still enrolled in school. This screening can be used to satisfy the State of Illinois mandated exam, due by May 15, 2008, required for all children in grades Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th. Children identified with dental issues will be referred to the CUPHD Dental Division, other partnering agencies, or their personal dentist for appropriate treatment. All participating children will receive a free toothbrush courtesy of IFLOSS. Appointments are not necessary; however, a parent or legal guardian must accompany their child.
“Oral health is a good indicator of a child’s overall health,” said Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator for CUPHD. “Many diseases and deficiencies can be readily identified through a routine oral health screening. Simple daily attention to oral health will produce a healthy body as well as a healthy smile!”
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Dental Division offers preventative and restorative procedures and simple extractions at their new location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-531-4279. Children enrolled in the Urbana School District may also be seen at the Urbana School Health Center located in the Urbana High School. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-239-4220.
For more information about this and other CUPHD programs and services, please call 217-3527961 or visit us on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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