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Kaiser Permanente Northwest Dentists Bring Smiles to Uninsured Kids

Dr. Gregory Stafford and dental assistant Pamela Geister were among the 230-plus volunteers for Kaiser Permanente Northwest’s free Give Kids a Smile clinics on February 7. Here, they provide dental care for 2-year-old Nina Badon-Boateng. Credit: Andie Petkus Photography

Portland, February 7th, 2015. Kaiser Permanente Northwest provided more than $80,000 in free dental care and vaccinations to approximately 200 uninsured and underinsured children at seven locations in Oregon and Southwest Washington. More than one-quarter of those children received both dental and medical care. The free clinics, called Give Kids a Smile, were offered in conjunction with National Children’s Dental Health Month and in partnership with the American Dental Association. These events also were timed to Oregon’s immunizations exclusion date.

Dylan Kruse, 3 1/2, was among the nearly 200 children who received free dental care and vaccinations at Kaiser Permanente Northwest’s Give Kids a Smile events taking place in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Credit: Courtesy of Kaiser Permanente Northwest.

Hager Arheim, 5, is all smiles as registered nurse Dawn Sorensen prepares to give her a vaccination at one of Kaiser Permanente Northwest’s seven free Give Kids a Smile clinics on February 7. Credit: Andie Petkus Photography

Kaiser Permanente dentist Dr. Felix Lee and dental assistant Crystal Schnacky provided 7-year-old August Ebalaroza with free dental care as part of the Give Kids a Smile clinics that took place throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Credit: Andie Petkus Photography

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.