At the YWCA Central Alabama, not only do we love to see our children smile, we love it when their smiles are healthy. That’s why we were thrilled to host Smiles for Keeps, which recently provided free dental screenings for the preschoolers in our child development programs.
Dr. Robert Bradford, who performed the checkups, said that getting an early start on dental health is crucial to preventing future problems. A daily routine of brushing for at least two minutes twice a day can give kids the healthy foundation they need.
Fortunately, the folks at Smiles for Keeps said our children were in overall great health and great spirits, too! Whether they wanted to show off their healthy smiles or take advantage of a free sticker and new toothbrush, the children didn’t hesitate when they were asked to open wide.
Smiles for Keeps Pediatric Dentistry, located in the heart of the Woodlawn community, is dedicated to serving families in Woodlawn and the downtown Birmingham area. For more than five years, their dentists have come to the YWCA to help us care for the little ones in our Calico Corner and KIDS (Kids in Distress) Korner programs.
These nationally-accredited curriculums address the critical shortage of quality, licensed and affordable child care for those in need. Calico Corner primarily serves working poor families, including many single-parent and formerly homeless families, while KIDS Korner meets the needs of children whose families reside in area homeless shelters. One of the biggest concerns for homeless parents is finding a safe place for their children while they work or get job training during the day. The YW has responded to this need by offering year-round programming for these very deserving children.
We are so grateful to the generous staff at Smiles for Keeps for all they do for our children. We thank them for sharing our mission of providing the best start for those who may have the least in life.
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