Free dental care in Atlanta for uninsured children this weekend

Free dental care is being offered by Kool Smiles at multiple locations in metro Atlanta this Sunday.PROVIDED BY Kool Smiles

Free dental care is being offered by Kool Smiles at multiple locations in metro Atlanta this Sunday.PROVIDED BY Kool Smiles

Uninsured Atlanta children will be able to receive free dental care during the second annual Kool Smiles "Sharing Smiles" free care day on Sunday, May 15. For more information on Sharing Smiles Day, please visit mykoolsmiles.com/sharingsmiles.

This year’s effort involves more than 250 dentists and staff at 45 dental office locations throughout the United States. Kool Smiles dentist volunteers provided care to more than 450 children in need at last year’s event, and are hoping to double that number this year.

Available treatments will include dental exams, limited emergency care, extractions, fillings, and baby tooth root canals and crowns.

National children's dental provider Kool Smiles (headquartered in Atlanta) recently surpassed $100 million in uncompensated dental care provided by its affiliate dentists since 2005.

“We know many families in communities throughout the country struggle with finding affordable dental care, especially those families without any form of dental insurance,” said Dr. Dale Mayfield, Chief Dental Officer for Kool Smiles in a press release. “While Kool Smiles is proud to offer quality, affordable dental care to children and families with various forms of insurance – including Medicaid – who would otherwise have difficulty accessing a dentist, we also understand that there are many who have no form of dental insurance and no means to pay for regular check-ups that often help prevent the onset of more complicated and costly conditions.”

If left untreated, dental decay can lead to pain, difficulty eating and chewing, and more serious infections - some of which can be life threatening. At the very least, untreated dental decay can cause children to settle for less than bright smiles.

The dental care will be provided at the following locations:

- Kool Smiles Candler/Decatur, 1756 Candler Road, 404-591-5665

- Kool Smiles Cobb/Smyrna, 2900 S. Cobb Dr., 678-453-5665

- Kool Smiles SW Atlanta, 5495 Old National Hwy., 404-223-5665

Here are more details:

WHAT: Sharing Smiles Day – an annual day of free dental care for uninsured children in Atlanta and surrounding areas, hosted by Kool Smiles – a local provider of quality, affordable dental care for children and families.

Available treatments will include dental exams, limited emergency care, extractions, fillings, and baby tooth root canals and crowns.

WHEN: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 15

WHO: Atlanta children who are up to 18 years of age and have no form of dental insurance will be eligible for free dental care during Sharing Smiles Day. Patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Kool Smiles dentists will provide dental treatments at no cost.

In an effort to serve children who are in the greatest need, eligibility will be limited to children who have no form of dental insurance.

WHERE: Kool Smiles Candler/Decatur, 1756 Candler Road, 404-591-5665

Kool Smiles Cobb/Smyrna, 2900 S. Cobb Dr., 678-453-5665

Kool Smiles SW Atlanta, 5495 Old National Hwy., 404-223-5665

NOTE: There is no need to RSVP. Patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.