College of Education and Human Development

School of Social Work

SSW Students and Faculty Help 'Give Kids a Smile'

On February 8, SSW students and faculty supported the American Dental Association's "Give Kids a Smile" event, a national event that provides underserved children with free oral health care.

SSW students and faculty provide information about low-cost dental care at the Give Kids a Smile Event: Left to right: Kania Johnson, MSW Student; Joe Merighi, Associate Professor; Tiffany Ramirez, MSW Student; Kelley Leaf, Practicum Coordinator.
SSW students and faculty provide information about low-cost dental care at the Give Kids a Smile Event:  Left to right: Kania Johnson, MSW Student; Joe Merighi, Associate Professor; Tiffany Ramirez, MSW Student; Kelley Leaf, Practicum Coordinator.

The School of Social Work was there to provide information about free and low cost health and mental health care services in the Twin Cities to the families whose children were being treated by the dental students.

"I thought the Give Kids a Smile event was a great opportunity to provide resources and information to families in the community in collaboration with the School of Dentistry," said Tiffany Ramirez, MSW student and counselor at One-Stop Student Services. "I enjoyed interacting with the children at the event and speaking with families about services they could access."

Established by the American Dental Association in 2003, the event draws approximately 6,500 dentists and 30,000 dental team members volunteer at local events to provide free oral health education, screenings, preventive and restorative treatment to more than 300,000 children.