Gainesville dentists provide free care to homeless children
On May 22, Gainesville Pediatric Dentistry provided free dental cleanings, x-rays, and screenings for the children of BARN Inc., in celebration of National Smile Month.
BARN is a transitional housing organization for mothers who are homeless or are in transition. Many of the children living at the shelter do not have dental insurance or rely on Medicaid to receive dental check-ups.
National Smile Month stresses the importance of brushing, good nutrition, and regular visits to the dentist and is the largest independent international dental campaign aimed at consumers of all ages. In celebration of the month, doctors Rhea Davis and Arshia Shingler provided the dental work for free.
“We are excited about our new partnership with BARN Inc.,” Davis said in a written statement. “Hundreds of children go without proper dental cleanings or screenings in the U.S., and we’re committed to work with the children of BARN to help them have healthy smiles now and in the future.”
BARN was founded in 1996 by the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia and is a secular nonprofit shelter in Bristow that also provides supportive services, life management skills and financial education for homeless women and their dependent children.
Established in 2006, Gainesville Pediatric Dentistry is located at 7534 Limestone Drive in Gainesville.
Davis is a native of Vienna and Shingler is originally from Prince William County. Both are graduates of the School of Dentistry at the Medical College of Virginia, where they also completed their pediatric residencies.
For more information about BARN, visit www.barninc.org. For details about the practice, visit www.gainesvillepediatricdentistry.com or call 703-754-1580.