“Give Kids A Smile!” is the annual centerpiece to National Children’s Dental Health Month. On Friday, February 2, 2007, the nation’s dentists will provide free oral health care services to low-income children across the country and highlight for policymakers the ongoing challenges that disadvantaged children face in accessing dental care.
With the leadership of the North Carolina Dental Society and the efforts of thousands of volunteers, North Carolina has been part of “Give Kids A Smile!” since it began in 2003. NCDS works with a number of organizations to make the event a success, including the North Carolina Oral Health Section, the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, SmartStart (North Carolina Partnership for Children), the UNC School of Dentistry, North Carolina Community Colleges, and the North Carolina Dental Assistants Association.
Volunteers provide care to children all 100 counties — whether it be dental treatment, prevention, and/or educational programs. Children are identified and pre-screened through public schools and local health departments. To date, more than 7,000 dental volunteers have provided over $4 million in oral care to more than 54,000 children across the State.
The North Carolina Dental Society invites you to join with us and make a difference for the children whose need is so great. For more information, call Suellen Foust at the North Carolina Dental Society, 1-800-662-8754. Together, we can “Give Kids A Smile!”
Finding Dental Care
The best way to find a dentist is through word of mouth. Ask your friends, co-workers and family to refer you to a dentist in the area. You may also check the yellow pages for dentists in your area. Click here for more information.
Services are available for low-income and special needs patients. Low-income patients may qualify for Medicaid or NC Health Choice. Contact your local Department of Social Services to see if you qualify. For a list of Medicaid providers, please contact the NC Division of Medical Assistance at 1-800-662-7030. Low income and special needs patients may also contact their county health department or a local free clinic for dental services.
The North Carolina Dental Society has established the Peer Review Program, under the guidelines developed by the American Dental Association, as a system in which a patient and a dentist may have a dispute mediated by a dental professional in an attempt to help resolve problems or misunderstandings regarding dental treatment. Peer Review exists for the benefit of the patient and the dentist
Any party wishing to initiate peer review must make the request in writing on the Request for Mediation Form (pdf format, if you are unable to open, click here) provided by the NCDS. A request for review should be accompanied by supporting records and pertinent information about the case.
Please return your form via U.S. mail. Please do not return the form by certified or registered mail as this only delays the process.
After receiving the completed request form at the NCDS Central Office, it is referred to the appropriate district peer review chairman. The chairman appoints a mediator in the patient and doctor’s area. The mediator will contact all parties and attempt to reconcile the problem. Peer Review is not a court of law and is not a means in which a patient may seek "pain and suffering" retribution. It is a voluntary process that relies on the good faith between a dentist and a patient and their mutual interest in resolving the problem.
Peer Review DOES NOT handle cases regarding the following issues:
- Alleged racial, gender or income discrimination
- Personality conflicts or discourteous behavior
- Scheduling (or lack of scheduling) of appointments
You may download the Request for Mediation Form (pdf format, if you are unable to open, click here) or call (800) 662-8754 to request a copy of the form.
Please note, the NCDS can not give legal advice.