Free Children?s Dental Clinic to Visit Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

September 6, 2002

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – “Christina’s Smile,” a free children’s dental clinic, held in conjunction with the PGA/Senior PGA Golf Tour, will be open at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Sept. 9 – 11.

The clinic will be hosted by the Medical Center in conjunction with the RJR Championship. The Forsyth County Health Department has identified 120 children between the ages of 6 and 16 to be treated during the three-day clinic. Local dentists and dental assistants will donate approximately $40,000 to $50,000 worth of dental care, which includes cleanings, sealants, fillings, crowns, root canals and extractions if needed.

The mobile clinic is a 48-foot trailer housing three fully equipped dental treatment areas, X-ray and sterilization equipment. It travels to cities that host PGA/Senior PGA Tour tournaments and provides dental care to needy children at no charge.

Richard R. Garza, D.D.S., who treated many underprivileged children at his Austin, Texas, dental practice, conceived the program in 1989.

This year, 21 clinics will be conducted to treat more than 2,800 children and provide approximately $1 million worth of free dentistry.

The clinic will operate Sept. 9 – 11 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily in the lower level parking lot of CompRehab Plaza at 131 Miller Street.

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Medical Center Contact: Barbara Hahn, (336) 716-6877 Richard R. Garza, D.D.S.: 1 (800) 229-1527.

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