TeamSmile Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, at Fresno State’s South Gym will provide free dental and preventative care to 300 children from Fresno Unified and Central Unified school districts. The children, ages 5 to 18, will be treated for cleanings, cavities, root canals and tooth extractions. Fresno State students, including student-athletes, will serve as volunteers, chaperoning children in attendance. According to the latest reports by the California Department of Public Health, untreated decay has been shown to affect a child’s ability to eat, sleep, speak and play “which can lead to an inability to focus in the class,” the report said. “In addition, children with oral health problems are more likely to experience oral health challenges as adults.” Fresno State athletics and the Department of Kinesiology at Fresno State are partnering with Henry Schein Dental and the Fresno-Madera Dental Society for the event, now in its 10th year being supported by the University. Former Bulldogs football player Mike Stovall brought the national program to Fresno State in 2007 after realizing the need for oral health care in the Valley. INFO: Kellie Reneau at 816.809.6220.
