As a part of the Florida Dental Association’s (FDA) Project: Dentists Care (PDC) program, Florida dentists will hold several Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) events throughout Children’s Dental Health Month in February.

Supported in part by the Florida Dental Health Foundation, the events will provide free dental care and information to thousands of children throughout Florida.

“It is great to have dentists, hygienists, assistants and other volunteers coming together to provide dental care to children whose families would not otherwise be able to afford it,” said PDC President Dr. Natalie Carr. “Last year, more than $1 million in dental care was provided to disadvantaged children. We hope to once again meet this goal in 2009.”

GKAS is a national dental-access program initiated in 2003 by the American Dental Association (ADA) to be observed on the first Friday in February. The FDA concentrates its GKAS effort in February, during Children’s Dental Health Month, but recognizes GKAS events throughout the year as well. To view Gov.Charlie Crist’s proclamation of Children’s Dental Health Month in Florida, visit the website listed below.

PDC, an FDA charitable organization, is a network of dentists throughout Florida that provides dental care to patients who otherwise could not afford it. The program conducts events such as Project Christmas Smile and New Smiles for the New Year, in addition to GKAS.

The FDA is a Tallahassee-based, statewide, professional association representing member-dentists in Florida.

Founded in 1884 by 12 dentists, the FDA now has almost 7,000 members, representing about 70 percent of all Florida-licensed dentists. A constituent society of the ADA, the FDA’s mission is to improve the oral health of Florida residents, promote ethical practice standards, and direct the evolution of the practice environment through continuous education and advocacy for the profession and the public.

The following GKAS events will take place in Florida:

Friday, Feb. 6
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Gulf Coast Community College Dental Clinic
5230 West Hwy. 98
Panama City, FL 32401
Children expected: 100
Coordinator: Dr. Mike Grandy
(850) 271-2341

Friday, Feb. 6
7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
136 B Staff Drive
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Children expected: 15
Coordinator: Dr. Jean Woo
(850) 243-7177

Friday, Feb. 6
8 a.m. – completion
Spencer Bibbs Elementary School
2005 N. 6th Ave.
Pensacola, FL 32503
Children expected: 375
Coordinator: Dr. Carl Wright
(850) 494-7150

Saturday, Feb. 7
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pensacola Junior College
Warrington Campus Dental Clinic
5555 W. Highway 98
Building 3106
Pensacola, FL 32507-1097
Children expected: 300+
Coordinator: Dr. Chad Callahan
(850) 487-8844

Saturday, Feb. 21
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Chumuckla United Methodist Church
9485 Hwy 197
Milton, FL 32571
Children expected: 150
Coordinator: Dr. Dan Henry
(850) 477-1120

Saturday, Feb. 21
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Jackson County Health Department
4487 Lafayette Street
Marianna, FL
Children expected: 50
Coordinator: Dr. Robert Payne
(850) 526-2511

Friday, Feb. 6
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Taylor County Health Department
1215 N Peacock Ave.
Perry, FL 32347
Children expected: 50
Coordinator: Dr. Stephanie Woods
(850) 584-5987 Ext. 109

Friday, Feb. 6
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
3200 Old Jennings Road
Middleburg, FL
Children expected: 40
Coordinators: Drs. Gary and Donnie Myers
(904) 505-2010

Friday, Feb. 6
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
I.M. Sulzbacher Clinic
611 East Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Children expected: 50
Coordinator: Dr. Shawn Perce
904-945-0963

Friday, Feb. 6
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Mayport Youth Activity Center
Mayport Naval Station, FL 32228
Children expected: 75-100