Nearly 300 Arizona children to receive free dental care

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- United Concordia Dental and the Arizona Dental Foundation (ADF) will provide free dental care to about 300 children across the state during National Children's Dental Health Month in February.

"Today, more than a fourth of all children from ages 2 to 5 and half of those ages 12 to 15 are affected by tooth decay," said Jerome Blum, D.D.S., United Concordia corporate dental director. "Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease - five times more common than asthma. That's why we are partnering with the ADF to provide free dental care to children in need."

United Concordia Dental and ADF will offer free dental services as follows:

    --  Feb. 4: Cleanings, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., 50 children at Phoenix College
        Dental Hygiene Clinic, 1202 West Thomas Road, Mesa.
    --  Feb. 5: Cleanings, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., more than 50 children at Mohave
        Community College, 3400 Highway 95, Bullhead City
    --  Feb. 5: Screenings and follow-up care referrals, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., more
        than 50 children at Sun Life Family Health Center, 865 North Arizola
        Road, Casa Grande.
    --  Feb. 11: Restorations, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., for 30 inner-city children at
        St. Vincent de Paul Dental Clinic, 420 W. Watkins, Phoenix.
    --  Feb. 11: Screenings, cleanings and follow-up care referrals, 8 a.m. - 2
        p.m., 75 children Pima Community College, 2202 West Anklam Road, Tucson
    --  Feb. 25: Cleanings and restorations, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., more than 30
        children at Desert Dentistry, 6231 South Central Avenue, Phoenix

"We are delighted to work with United Concordia Dental once again," said Dr. Michael Smith, ADF Board Chairman. "These programs are a great opportunity to eliminate unnecessary oral pain while educating children about the importance of dental health, and proper brushing and flossing techniques."

Two events were held in January and additional screening and treatment events for more than 600 children are scheduled at local dental schools in April and community clinics in the fall.

In 2010, United Concordia Dental helped provide nearly $1.7 million in free dental services nationally to more than 8,000 children and adults with minimal or no insurance.

For more information, visit www.UnitedConcordia.com.