Newark, New Jersey February, 2020 — Newark Community Health Centers, Inc. will be sponsoring their annual Give Kids A Smile® event on Friday February 7th, 2020 at five of our six locations to provide underserved children with free dental services. Nearly one in four children under the age of five already has cavities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many children enrolled in Medicaid receive no dental services throughout the year. This year NCHC acquired grant funding from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey through its foundation. The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey’s Kids Oral Health Program shares the same standards as the Give Kids A Smile Program and is a generous partner that has contributed $62,500 to support NCHC in these efforts. Give Kids A Smile is held annually to:

• Provide free, easily accessible dental services to qualifying individuals.

• Raise awareness of the epidemic of untreated dental disease occurring locally and nationally and create local public and private partnerships to increase access to oral health care to solve this crisis.

Newark Community Health Centers, Inc. (NCHC) offers high quality dental care at five of its facilities in Essex County. The Centers make it possible for the uninsured, the homeless, and others in need to get their teeth cleaned, cavities filled, and other basic oral care. They also deliver much-needed specialty services, including care for acute infections, restorative procedures, surgery, and treatment of HIV positive patients. Research shows that kids with poor oral health are nearly three times more likely to miss school and about four times more likely to earn below-average grades. The consequences of poor oral health can impact a child’s ability to eat, sleep, and learn. This year, NCHC hopes to provide an even greater number of underserved children with exams, caries assessment and hygiene instruction during Give Kids A Smile Day. Give Kids A Smile Day is a wonderful opportunity to get involved and help underserved children learn about the importance of dental health, receive an oral examination by a licensed dentist and referral for treatment when necessary. We gave away free toothbrushes, toothpaste and more! This year’s event will be held at five of our locations; NCHC Locations: 741 Broadway, Newark 101 Ludlow St., Newark 92 Ferry St., Newark 444 William St., East Orange 1150 Springfield Ave., Irvington For more information about Give Kids A Smile events, visit www.adafoundation.org/givekidsasmile. To learn more about proposed solutions to the dental crisis, visit WWW.NCHCFQHC.org and www.ADA.org/action.