Published Tuesday, August 05, 2008 in Close-Up
Help A Child Smile delivers permission forms
Forms that enable children to receive care at 26 different schools in Coweta County will be delivered to children on Aug. 6. Parents of all patients, even existing ones, must fill out and sign a new form and return it in order for children to receive dental care.
Help A Child Smile is a mobile dental program that offers comprehensive dentistry from state licensed dentists to children that have limited or no access to oral health care. Of new patients, more than 50 percent have never been treated by a dentist. Help A Child Smile accepts most insurance, including Amerigroup, Peachstate, Wellcare, PeachCare for Kids and Medicaid.
Founded by Dr. Mark Shurett and his associates in 1993 after 14 years of family practice, Help A Child Smile, unlike many mobile dental programs, provides comprehensive dental care including x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, comprehensive exams and cavity treatment using composite materials. Children are never restrained or given sedatives in order to be treated.
"We are so happy that we can offer dentistry to children who have never had the opportunity to receive dental care before," said Shurett.
The mobile offices that will visit Coweta County schools are equipped identically to the offices of Dr. Shurett's family practice in Conyers. Each full service dental office is staffed with one licensed dentist, one registered hygienist, two assistants, one mobile manager and one X-ray technician. For more information, call 1-800-770-0388.