More than 400 Kids Receive Dental Screenings, New Shoes at Kids Dental Day Event
2024年7月24日 - 11:30PM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
The Nashville Sounds, Delta Dental of
Tennessee, and cityCURRENT team up to host children’s health
clinic
The Nashville Sounds, Delta Dental of Tennessee, and cityCURRENT
recently hosted the third annual Kids Dental Day at First Horizon
Park. More than 400 kids of all ages from the Nashville area
received free dental screenings, a new pair of socks and shoes,
snacks, a new book, and Sounds souvenirs as they prepare for the
new school year. Approximately 80% of the kids screened at the
event needed additional dental care and were able to receive a
complimentary cleaning onsite, as well as a referral to Meharry or
Neighborhood Health for follow up care, as needed.
Click here to view photos from Kids Dental Day.
“We are honored to partner with Delta Dental and Samaritan’s
Feet to grow the community impact of our annual Kids Dental Day,”
said Adam English, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer
of the Nashville Sounds. “Community is so important to us, so
seeing our partners and many community organizations come together
to make an impact for hundreds of children right here in Middle
Tennessee is really special.”
A dental checkup is a critical part of a child’s back to school
routine because children with poor oral health are three times more
likely than their peers to miss school, and poor oral health can
have a detrimental effect on a child’s quality of life and success
later in life. The high number of kids screened at the event that
needed additional care (80%, compared to 40% of kids last year)
underscores the urgency of reversing an alarming post-pandemic
trend: the number of kids receiving routine preventive declined,
resulting in increases in dental decay.
“We are thrilled with the turnout and success of Kids Dental
Day, and thank the Sounds and all of the community partners and
volunteers who helped make this event possible,” said Jeff
Ballard, CEO and president of Delta Dental of Tennessee.
“Helping kids learn good oral health habits at an early age is
critical to setting them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles, and
the fun, festive atmosphere of Kids Dental Day is the perfect way
to help make care more accessible and approachable to kids.”
Kids Dental Day was the result of more than a dozen community
partners coming together to create a memorable experience for kids.
Dentists from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry and
Neighborhood Health oversaw the dental care portion of the event,
and the new socks and shoes were provided by cityCURRENT and
Samaritan’s Feet. The day was filled with fun activities and games
provided by Nashville Public Television and visits to the Book’em
Book Bus to choose a free book to take home. Each child was also
given a hygiene kit and drawstring backpack from Delta Dental.
Samaritan’s Feet International, a humanitarian aid non-profit,
played a key role by providing shoes and spreading messages of
hope. "We are excited to bring Samaritan’s Feet back to Nashville,
enriching the Kids Dental Day experience with the gift of shoes and
a message of hope," remarked Manny Ohonme, co-founder of
Samaritan’s Feet. "Our mission is to inspire hope and ensure
that children know they are valued and capable of achieving great
things. By partnering with cityCURRENT, the Sounds, and Delta
Dental, we are able to reach more children and make a meaningful
impact in their lives."
The success of the event would not have been possible without
the dedicated efforts of over 100 volunteers. From coordinating
logistics to encouraging the children, volunteers from cityCURRENT
and other local organizations played an essential role in ensuring
the day ran smoothly. Their commitment and enthusiasm were
instrumental in creating a positive and impactful experience for
every child in attendance.
“Kids Dental Day is not just about dental health or new shoes;
it’s about empowering children with the knowledge that they are
loved, cared for, and can achieve their future goals," said
Kelly Meyers, President of cityCURRENT. "Our collaboration
with The Sounds and Delta Dental underscores our commitment to the
well-being of Nashville’s youth. By coming together as a community,
we can provide essential services and support that will have a
lasting impact on these children's lives. This event is a true
testament to the difference we can make when we work together as a
business community."
Children arrived throughout the day at First Horizon Park from
community partners and summer programs including the Donelson YMCA,
Preston Taylor Ministries, and the Hispanic Family Foundation. Some
received transportation provided by Delta Dental’s Smile180
Foundation and Higginbotham Insurance. Other partners involved in
the event were Kroger, who donated healthy snacks and bottles of
water, and Hope Smiles, who provided the dental equipment. The
Smile180 Foundation purchased the dental supplies for the
event.
To sign up for information about the Summer 2025 Kids Dental Day
event, click here.
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee
Brewers and play at First Horizon Park. Single game tickets for the
remainder of the 2024 season are on sale now. For more information
call 615-690-4487 or e-mail tickets@nashvillesounds.com.
Delta Dental of Tennessee
Delta Dental of Tennessee is the state’s largest independent
dental benefits carrier with 1.5 million lives covered. As part of
the Delta Dental Plans Association, Delta Dental of Tennessee
members have access to the largest dental network in the nation
with more than 200,985 providers serving more than 538,819
locations. With the simple mission of ensuring healthy smiles,
Delta Dental of Tennessee works hard to help members of the
communities it serves. Along with its corporate foundation,
Smile180, Delta Dental of Tennessee donated more than $4.0 million
in funding and in-kind services to over 100 organizations in
2023.
cityCURRENT
cityCURRENT is a business organization that exists to help
companies create professional relationships and power the good in
our community. Through a network of corporate partners, cityCURRENT
organizes events, volunteer opportunities, and philanthropic
initiatives across Memphis and Nashville. Their mission is to power
the good, support local nonprofits, and engage businesses in
creating relationships that will impact our region. For more
information, visit www.cityCURRENT.com.
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Ann Waller Curtis annwaller.curtis@stonesrivergroup.com