Fusion Dental "Gives Kids a Smile"

Twenty-one area children were given dental care last week as part of participation in the American Dental Association's annual Give Kids A Smile event.

Doctors and staff at Fusion Dental’s Reston office, along with the Medical Care for Children's Partnership, gave children from and Herndon's Dranesville elementary schools and exams, cleanings and treatments.

Fusion professionals participating included Scott Synnott, DDS; Robert Averne, DDS; Joyce Fernandes, DDS; Kathy Dillon, DDS; Myra Doyle, DDS; Judy Kwon, DDS; and many Fusion dental hygienists, dental assistants and support staff.

Some children also received fillings, sealants, stainless steel crowns, and other needed treatments resulting in over $15,000 in donated dental care.  Several of the children’s needs exceeded what could be accomplished in one visit and will be returning until their treatment is complete.

“Part of the Fusion Dental’s core value is our commitment to our local community, said Synnott. "After our third year participating in Give Kids A Smile, this event has become a tradition to our team, and I believe our staff would agree with me that this event is our most rewarding.  “We value our partnerships with local organizations to address dental health needs right in our own backyard.”

Give Kids A Smile is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2012. Last year, more than 44,800 dental team members nationwide participated in Give Kids A Smile, which is designed to provide free, desperately-needed dental services to local qualifying children from underserved families.

Nearly one in four children aged two to 11 has untreated cavities in their baby teeth, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many children enrolled in Medicaid receive no dental services throughout the year.