Dentists bite down on chance to help
Free dental care provided in S.B. through the 'Give Kids a Smile!' program
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Tomorrow, underprivileged children will be able to receive free dental care as part of the American Dental Association's (ADA) "Give Kids a Smile!"

This is the sixth year of the program to "ensure access to quality dental care for every child in America," according to the New Jersey ADAWeb site.

The program takes place during the first week in February every year as part of Children's Dental Health Month.

Many local dentists are taking part in the event, including Dr. Edwin Tanpiengco in Monmouth Junction and Dr. Lawrence Brent in Cranbury.

"I feel very fortunate that I'm well educated, a professional and make a good living," Brent said. "I really felt like I wanted to give back."

This is the fourth year Brent has participated.

"The first year, we found out about it a couple weeks before and no one showed up," Brent said. "For the second year, we got official and signed up with the dental society, but again no one came. The third year, we became proactive."

Last year, more than 758,000 children were treated at 2,250 locations across the U.S. Over 39,000 dental team volunteers and 14,400 dentists participated.

Brent said that he treated about 22 kids last year, resulting in about $9,000 worth of service. He gives the children a full exam, doing what he would normally do if they were regular patients of his.

"It was the most fun day of the whole year," Brent said. "We provide any service the kids require. A lot only do prevention, which is usually a cleaning."

He never even considered going to some lower income towns to do this event.

"I knew there were kids right here in town that needed help and we wanted to address that," Brent said.

Brent said that he expects about 25 children again this year.

Tanpiengco will be participating in the event on Feb. 5.

Needy children 12 and under are eligible and can participate every year.