Go Back

DENTAL CLINIC OFFERS FREE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments for their children

PATERSON - April 4 - Almost one-third of preschoolers and more than two-thirds of elementary and high school children have experienced tooth decay.  Due to these statistics, the Paterson Public School District encourages students and families to take advantage of free dental services, which provides examinations and emergency and comprehensive services. “It is very important for parents to know about the free preventive services available at the Office of Dental Services and through the Seal Your Smile Program. These services will protect children from painful tooth infections and save parents lots of money,” states Dr. Sam Wakim, Dental Director of the Office of Dental Services.

The Office of Dental Services offers restorative and preventive dental treatment for children who attend Paterson Public Schools. The staff includes a full time dentist, two dental assistants and dental hygiene students from Bergen Community College (BCC). The Dental Clinic is located in the Health Department, Division of Health, 176 Broadway. Clinic hours are 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. It is open eleven months a year.

Also in collaboration with Paterson Public Schools, the Paterson Community Health Center will visit schools directly and provide plastic sealants, screenings of teeth and fluoride rinse treatments to children at Schools 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 17, 20, 28, Norman S. Weir and Edward W. Kilpatrick.  Paterson Public Schools and the Paterson Community Health Center have also worked on the "Give Kids a Smile Day” as part of the Board of Health’s children’s dental health month.

Paterson Public Schools, located in Passaic County, provides educational services to 30,000 preschool to grade 12 students.  Under the direction of State District Superintendent, Dr. Michael E. Glascoe, it is the third largest and most diverse school district in New Jersey.  Visit www.paterson.k12.nj.us for more information.

###