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Receive a presentation on the 2013 Give Kids A Smile event held throughout Solano County on February 2, 2013
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board receive a presentation on the 2013 Give Kids A Smile event held throughout Solano County on February 2, 2013.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
H&SS successfully hosted its 3rd annual "Give Kids a Smile Day" event with help from members of the Napa-Solano Dental Society, the U.S. Army Reserve, community organizations, local businesses, and community members. For the first time, services were provided throughout Solano County including Vacaville, Fairfield, and Vallejo. The event provided free dental screenings and fluoride varnishes to 252 children and 132 children received sealants. Every family also had access to health education, assistance in applying for health and social services programs, and demonstrations of physical activity and nutrition. Attachment A provides a complete breakdown of the number of children served, event sponsors, and all of the individuals, volunteers, businesses, and organizations that made Give Kids A Smile a successful event.
This event aimed to increase awareness of the importance of access and usage of dental care for children in our community. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, tooth decay is now the third most common reason children are admitted to hospital; it is the single most common chronic childhood disease - 5 times more common than asthma, and 7 times more common than hay fever. Oral disease is a serious health problem for all children including those who live in Solano County. Students with toothaches were almost 4 times more likely to have a low grade point average and national statistics show that an average of 69% of school hours is missed annually due to oral disease and its associated pain. In addition, parents averaged 2.5 absent days from work or school per year because of their children's dental problems. Some children learn to live with the constant pain of rotting teeth and swelling gums; they sleep with it and go to school, and it affects their overall energy level. The Give Kids A Smile Day compliments H&SS Dental Clinic services, which served 3,655 children in FY2011/12.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
All of the costs associated with this event and presentation are included in the Department's Adopted FY2012/13 budget. The Department will bill for services provided to children receiving Med-Cal which will cover all other expenses not covered by donations. There is no impact to the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to receive this presentation. This is not recommended because this is an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of those who worked tirelessly to ensure that the Give Kids A Smile event was a success.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS was able to partner with multiple agencies throughout the County and community to implement this event including the Napa-Solano Dental Society and the U.S. Army Reserve who provided dentists and dental assistants.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION