Dentists, Hygienists and Support Staff Volunteer to Provide Free Care for 206 Children and Adults During the Annual Benevis-Sponsored Sharing Smiles Day

“The goal of Sharing Smiles Day is to provide quality dental care to children in underserved communities,” shared Bryan J. Carey, CEO of Benevis. “We are so thankful for our doctors and staff who volunteered their time to provide this important service.”

30 volunteer doctors and 294 staff from 23 Benevis partner dental offices participated in the free day of care this year. Since the program began, Sharing Smiles Day has provided dental relief to more than 2,000 uninsured and underinsured patients across 16 states through the efforts of more than 1,200 volunteers.

According to data from the Health Policy Institute, 49.6% of children with Medicaid coverage did not receive dental care in the previous 12 months. “Oral health is an essential part of the overall health and quality of life for both children and adults. Poor oral health can increase the risks associated with chronic diseases including heart disease and diabetes,” said Dr. Brad Bryan, Vice President of Clinical Operations. “Sharing Smiles Day provides a much needed health service to families that face coverage gaps or insufficient dental insurance.”