FORT SMITH (KFSM)-Children from all over the River Valley received free dental work on Sunday (Feb.22).
Kool Smiles, located at 5111 Rogers Ave. hosted the inaugural ‘Sharing Smiles’ Free Care Day. It’s all in recognition of Children’s Dental Health Month.
Laine Stegner is one parent who took advantage of the free service.
“Everybody has been so friendly to me,” she said. “It’s really been an answered prayer because when he had a bad tooth, it really scared me.”
“We are only seeing patients 18 and under today,” Dr. Bryan Downing, DDS said.
Dr. Downing led the event. He’s been a dentist for 30 years. Kool Smiles provided services including stainless steel crowns, extractions and cleanings.
“There’s a lot of people that are underserved or don’t have insurance, can’t afford dental care,” he said.
Organizers said the average patient received $250 worth of work at no charge.
“The staff was so kind to tell me about this free dental day, and we just jumped on it,” Stegner said. “Its been a blessing.”
Volunteers at the event told 5NEWS they’d like to put together another free care day for uninsured children again sometime in the near future.
