Students smile while seeing dentists

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Hundreds of students were patients Thursday as they got their eyes and teeth checked, many for the first time.

About 250 children at Phillis Wheatley Elementary, in the California neighborhood, were the first patients for the Care for Kids Campaign.

The majority of the students, 98 percent are on free or reduced lunch.

"Their opportunities to get that dental care, to get that vision care, is very limited," Louisville Metro Councilman, David James said.

There is concern not only for their health, but also their grades.

"Can you imagine how much better than can do in a classroom when they are without that pain, or if they can't see and they are always being called up to the front of the classroom?" asked the school's resource center coordinator, Annie Haigler.

The University of Louisville School of Dentistry and UofL's School of Pediatrics, Kosair Charities, Councilman James and WAVE 3 News Anchor Dawne Gee have been dreaming of this program for years - and planning for months.

Now that the event finally happened, the group found at least 105 children in need of dental care and another 30 that needed glasses.

The screenings, the follow up care and prevention are all free.

"Sometimes parents don't know how important baby teeth are. so we educating the kids and also the parents," UofL Clinical Director, Liliana Rozo said.

Then it was back to class with goodies, like toothbrushes, toothpaste, coloring books and lots and lots of stickers.

The children who are in need of dental work and glasses will be picked up by buses at a later date and taken to get that follow-up care.

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