Council Bluffs kids receive free dental care for annual Give Kids a Smile Day

The nonprofit Firefly works with 10 schools to identify kids in need of dental care. It says the No. 1 need it sees is children who cannot find a dentist due to Medicaid coverage.

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On Friday, Council Bluffs kids took a field trip to the dentist for the 19th annual Give Kids a Smile Day.The charitable event is organized by Firefly, a nonprofit that focuses on literacy, family support and public health. Liz Addison with the nonprofit said they work with 10 local schools to identify kids in need of dental care.”Our No. 1 need is children who have Medicaid coverage but can’t find a dentist who is accepting Medicaid,” Addison said. Statewide, there is a big issue with access to care for Medicaid patients.”We’re expecting about 100 kids today to receive free dental care. For some of these kids, it’s the first time they’ve ever been to the dentist,” Addison said.That is why the Firefly team, and the four dental practices it partners with, aim to make Give Kids a Smile Day fun.Dr. Ryan Hajek with My Pediatric Dentist has participated in the event for almost a decade.”We have movies playing, games everywhere, just kind of a, kind of a party here,” Hajek said.Kids get a free cleaning, exam and even a dental treatment if it’s needed.Hajek said with pediatric patients, prevention is key. That is why every child goes home with a backpack full of education and activities.”Access to care is a big issue. We’re working with legislators throughout the States and doing our best to get access to care for not only kids but adults, too,” Hajek said.To learn more about the services Firefly provides, click here.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —

On Friday, Council Bluffs kids took a field trip to the dentist for the 19th annual Give Kids a Smile Day.

The charitable event is organized by Firefly, a nonprofit that focuses on literacy, family support and public health.

Liz Addison with the nonprofit said they work with 10 local schools to identify kids in need of dental care.

“Our No. 1 need is children who have Medicaid coverage but can’t find a dentist who is accepting Medicaid,” Addison said.

Statewide, there is a big issue with access to care for Medicaid patients.

“We’re expecting about 100 kids today to receive free dental care. For some of these kids, it’s the first time they’ve ever been to the dentist,” Addison said.

That is why the Firefly team, and the four dental practices it partners with, aim to make Give Kids a Smile Day fun.

Dr. Ryan Hajek with My Pediatric Dentist has participated in the event for almost a decade.

“We have movies playing, games everywhere, just kind of a, kind of a party here,” Hajek said.

Kids get a free cleaning, exam and even a dental treatment if it’s needed.

Hajek said with pediatric patients, prevention is key. That is why every child goes home with a backpack full of education and activities.

“Access to care is a big issue. We’re working with legislators throughout the States and doing our best to get access to care for not only kids but adults, too,” Hajek said.

To learn more about the services Firefly provides, click here.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.