RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – A trip to the dentist can be expensive, especially if you do not have insurance.
In order to help, dentists at Small Smiles Dental Care in Richmond offered free screenings Friday.
Dr. Whitney Maier said about one in five children in the US go without regular yearly dental visits.
“A lot of kids, especially in this community, have big oral health needs. A lot of cavities, a lot of gum issues,” said Maier. “If they can just come in for that six month check…, we can avoid a huge blowup later.”
Maier also said tooth decay is the leading common childhood disease and is more common than asthma. She said that is one reason they are offering the screenings.
Parents, some of whom no longer have insurance because of job losses, were excited about the screenings.
“I think that was a wonderful idea that they did a free screening… for less fortunate people,” said Sonya Freeman.
