With school season just around the corner, Trenton’s KinderSmile is providing area children with a fun, interactive way to maintain oral hygiene.

Starting today, Aug. 10 through Thursday, Aug. 12, KinderSmile, in partnership with The Center for Hispanic Policy Research and Development, is hosting a “Back 2 School Oral Health Block Party.” The event will run each day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at KinderSmile (101 North Broad Street).

“We just want to set up a tent and pass out some school supplies, some toothbrushes and toothpaste, and engage with the community on good oral hygiene habits, and sign kids up to get healthy before they go back to school,” said founder and CEO of KinderSmile, Dr. Nicole McGrath-Barnes, DDS.

Since KinderSmile’s Trenton grand opening, the organization has served about 3,000 Trentonians. According to Dr. McGrath-Barnes, the need for dental care in the capital city is dire.

“There’s a huge, huge need here in Trenton,” she said. “We’re just trying to fulfill a lot of need, a lot of access to care needs, and we’re just trying to do the best that we can to get Trenton nice and healthy.”

In the city of Trenton, Dr. McGrath-Barnes treats many patients who are either uninsured or underinsured. That lack of access to optimal oral care leads to untreated infections and a lack of understanding on how to treat these serious oral health problems. Through this week’s Back 2 School Oral Health Block Party, KinderSmile hopes to provide that care and education to children at a young age, therefore further preventing oral disease in the future.

“We need to come together as a community to serve and give a reason for our Trenton residents to want to be able to live in Trenton,” said Dr. McGrath-Barnes. “KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center, Trenton, the team and the staff – we’re just trying to save lives one smile at a time.”

For more information on this week’s Back 2 School Oral Health Block Party or to donate to the KinderSmile Foundation, visit https://www.kindersmile.org/

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