La Red dental workers donate time to Give Kids A Smile
La Red Health Center’s dental team recently provided dental care services to 34 children during its Give Kids a Smile event, held annually on the first Friday in February to mark National Children’s Dental Health Month.
In 2003, the American Dental Association started the program with the goal of providing free oral health exams, cleanings, sealants and restorations to underserved children.
La Red’s program focuses on providing care to Sussex County children who lack insurance. Event organizers typically maintain a waiting list because the local need for dental care is so great.
A 2023 study by KFF, a national health policy organization, found that 14.2% of Delaware children have one or more oral health problems. According to a Georgetown University study, the percentage of uninsured Delaware children was 5.8% in 2024, an increase from 3.4% in 2022.
La Red Health Center was one of two dental practices in the state that participated this year. La Red closed its regular dental practice for three of its dentists and three of its dental hygienists to devote care for children in need.
Dr. Christine Stinton, chief dental officer at La Red, said the Give Kids a Smile event aligns with La Red Health Center’s mission as a safety net provider to make healthcare more accessible to everyone.
“Good oral health is much more than just a pretty smile,” Stinton said. “It’s vital to a child’s overall well-being.”
La Red Health Center CEO Rachel Hersh said, “We are so proud to be a part of this important event that gave 34 children the care that they deserve. We are so grateful to Benco Dental, SDI and the ADA for providing La Red with the supplies needed to carry out this event. It’s important to invest in safety net providers like La Red and events like Give Kids a Smile. Without community health organizations such as La Red and other federally qualified health centers, dental care would be inaccessible for a large number of Delawareans.”
La Red Health Center cares for 15,000 patients throughout Southern Delaware and provides services for nearly 3,000 dental patients.
