Volunteer Dentists Offer Free Care Through 'Give Kids a Smile'

The Minnesota Dental Association is offering free dental services through its charitable program Give Kids a Smile on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2, and a few other days in the upcoming weeks.

The program provides services to low-income children in need who face barriers to receive proper dental care.

Clinics offering the free services in and near Minnetonka are:

Park Dental Ridgepark 
13911 Ridgedale Dr., #395 
Minnetonka, MN 55305
952-545-8603 
Website for directions: www.parkdental.com 
Services: Exams, cleanings, fluoride varnish, sealants, fillings, extractions, radiographs. 
Event date: 2/1/2013 
Hours: 1 to 5 PM

Swanson Family Dentistry
12450 Wayzata Blvd Ste 214
Minnetonka, MN 55305
952-545-2838
Services: Exams, cleanings, fluoride vanishes, sealants, x-rays, fillings, extractions.
Website for directions: swansonfamilydentistry.com
Date: 02/01/2013
Hours: 8 AM to 12 PM

Prairie Dental Group 
6608 Flying Cloud Drive 
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
952-903-5000 
Website for directions: prairiedental.com 
Services: Exam, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, xrays 
Event date: 2/2/2013 
Hours: 8 AM to 2 PM 

Sidky Family Dentistry 
557 Prairie Center Drive 
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
952-405-8838
Services: Exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, fillings and extractions. 
Event date: 2/1/2013 
Hours: 8 AM to 2 PM

Michael J. Nelson, D.D.S.
8001 Hwy 7, Suite 300
Saint Louis Park, MN 55426
952-920-4060
Website for directions: www.mjnelsondds.com
Services: Exams, cleanings, fluoride varnishes, sealants, x-rays, fillings, extractions.
Event date: 2/2/2013 
Hours: 9 AM to 3 PM

MDC-St. Louis Park 
4959 Excelsior Blvd., Suite 200 
Saint Louis Park, MN 55416
952-920-8774 
Website for directions: www.metro-dentalcare.com 
Services Exams, cleanings, fluoride varnishes, sealants, x-rays, fillings, extractions. 
Event date: 2/1/2013 
Hours: 12 to 4 PM 

See all participating clinics here.

To make an appointment, review the list of dental clinics. Interested parties may also call United Way 2-1-1 (just dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-543-7709) for assistance finding a clinic that best fits your needs and location.

According to the association's website, before making an appointment, keep the following things in mind:

• Dental professionals who are donating their time and talents to this program are concerned about the growing number of children who are unable to access needed dental care. Patients will typically not be asked any questions about eligibility for this free care. It's important to know that children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must have an appointment in advance. Sorry, but same-day, walk-in care is not available on these day.
• Services will vary from preventive care, which includes cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatment, to restorative care, which includes fillings. Information on specific services that will be provided will be outlined when an appointment is scheduled. Please keep in mind that time is limited and not all identified dental needs may be addressed during this charitable event.
• Each participating dental office can set its own age range. Typically, the age range is 3 to 18. But, since it may vary, it's important that parents ask this question when making an appointment for their child.
• Please remind families to respect the clinic's time and dedication. For every child who doesn't show up for his or her appointment, another child could have been helped. If the family must cancel, they should give the clinic at least a day's notice, so the clinic can identify another child who could benefit from free care.