Ann Arbor, MI — January 24, 2006 — Dental and dental hygiene students and faculty from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry will provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families on Saturday, February 4.

The services will be offered as a part of the American Dental Association's "Give Kids a Smile" program. The annual event, launched three years ago, resulted in more than 1 million children nationwide receiving free dental care and products valued at $100 million last year, according to the ADA.

At Michigan, the dental and dental hygiene students and faculty will be providing cleaning, x-rays, and sealants between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the School (1011 N. University Avenue) on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary. However, children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Only children ages 5-12 will be seen. Children participating in the event at the School of Dentistry will receive a free oral health kit containing a rotary toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and information on maintaining good oral health.

Patients attending can park for free in the Patient Parking Area (upper level) at the Fletcher Street Parking Garage adjacent to the School of Dentistry. When they arrive at the gate, patients must press the green button for the gate to rise. Although they will receive a parking ticket as the gate rises, they will not have to pay.

For more information about the "Give Kids a Smile" day at the U-M School of Dentistry, call (734) 763-6933 or (888) 707-2500.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

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