Dear District Members,

Give Kids a Smile! In Birmingham has had 10 years of tremendous success!  Our members have provided dental care for over 1100 children who would not otherwise have had access to dental care. 

In 2008 we introduced changes which allowed you to participate in this event from the comfort of your private office. This change has been very successful and we plan to continue and improve this approach.  Due to the difficult economic times the number of children who need this type of program has increased.  Many families who had insurance and took care of their families five years ago find themselves in need of help now.  The opportunity has never been greater for the dental community to make a difference through this important local mission.

This year we need volunteer dentists to commit to seeing patients in their private offices for a cleaning/ screening appointment and one operative visit.  UAB School of Dentistry will not be providing a screening/ cleaning event this year.  Therefore, it is up to our members to conduct this event within our offices. 

I can provide all volunteer dentists with a 'limited doctor/patient relationship' consent document for use when seeing GKAS patients.  United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) will spread flyers throughout local schools and health clinics advertising the Give Kids A Smile event.  I will submit a list of volunteer dentists to our contact at UWCA.  UWCA will then call volunteer dentists and give them the contact information on eligible patients as they become available.  Volunteer dentists can then have their staff schedule appointments for GKAS patients. 

GKAS patients are between the ages of 5 and 12 years old.  And, volunteer dentists should feel free to specify if they are comfortable seeing patients 8 and older or all age patients.  Approximately 40% of past GKAS patients have come from our Hispanic community and translators are available through UWCA if necessary. 

Please call me or email if you can help with Give Kids A Smile! 

Angel Rohner, DMD

Angelica Rohner Pediatric Dentistry

arohner@drrohner.com

205-870-0892