Cleona dental office gives kids a reason to smile

March 08--Cleona >> On Saturday, Taityn Haak and his sister, Ashtyn Haak, were among more than a dozen local kids who got free dental care at Dental Art Images, 221 W. Penn Ave., Cleona. Their treatment was part of national program aimed at helping improve dental care for children.

Dental Art Images Drs. Frederick Johnson and Jennifer Davis and their staff provided treatment for about 13 children between 9 a.m. and noon.

Business manager Diona Luciotti said it was the fifth year the dental office has offered the free day of care.

"Give Kids a Smile Day is about providing dental care to children who can't normally afford dental care," Luciotti said. "We do checkups, any filings or extractions, anything they need done. If we can't get it done today, we bring them back another day free of cost."

The program is part of National Children's Dental Health Month, which is observed in February, she said.

"We started the event as a way to help children in the community in observance of National Children's Dental Health Month," she said.

Luciotti said the dental office does the dental exams for the Annville-Cleona School District and sends letters home with students, as well as advertising the event.

"This is one of our slower years," she said. "We've been a little busier in previous years."

Deb Johnson of Lebanon brought her grandchildren, the two Haak siblings, to get their teeth examined. Johnson said she was touched that Dental Art Images offers the program.

"I cried. I just think it's so awesome for little boys and little girls to be able to come here (for treatment)," Johnson said. "When you don't have dental insurance, this helps. It touches your heart."

Dental hygienist Bonnie Barr, who cleaned Taityn Haak's teeth Saturday, said she enjoys the event.

"It's more fun each year we do it," Barr said. "Dr. Davis does a really good job. We make sure we do follow up care with each of the kids."

Barr said a lot of children who are underprivileged don't get care.

"This is the only time of year they see a dentist, and a lot of times as a parent you can't see what's happening (with their teeth)," she added. "It's easier when you get them in a chair and under the light."

Barr said a recent survey showed that one of the major reasons students miss school is because of a dental problem.

"If we can do something to help the kids in Lebanon County, that's good," she said.

In addition to the free dental care, Lebanon County Dairy Court Dairy Maid Angela Fair and Dairy Miss Alayna Harrell brought some dairy treats for the children who visited the dentist Saturday.

"There's a lot of correlation between proper dental hygiene and dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt," Fair explained. "We wanted to incorporate that into today's event to get the word out to eat some dairy products."

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