What is Collier County Children’s Dental Day?

Collier County Children’s Dental Day is a one-day community event focused on pediatric oral health. Local dental professionals volunteer their time to provide basic screenings for children at no cost to families.

• Who: Children accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
• What: Basic pediatric dental screenings
• When: Feb. 28, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Where: Nichols Community Health Center, 12655 Collier Blvd., Naples
• Cost: Free, no appointment required

The goal is to catch potential problems early, answer your questions, and connect families with ongoing dental care if needed.

Why are free children’s dental screenings important?

Oral health is closely tied to overall health, especially for growing kids. Cavities, misaligned teeth, and dental trauma can affect how children eat, sleep, and concentrate in school.

Pediatric dentistry focuses on preventing early decay, guiding proper growth, and building healthy habits that can last a lifetime. A quick screening can:

• Spot issues early before they become painful or expensive to treat
• Identify areas of concern such as visible cavities or injuries
• Reinforce daily habits like brushing, flossing, and limiting sugary snacks

Events like this make it easier for families to access care, especially if you haven’t yet found a regular pediatric dentist.

Who is offering the free dental screenings?

DOH-Collier partners with several local organizations to make Collier County Children’s Dental Day possible. These partnerships help ensure children receive quality screenings and information from trained professionals, all in a welcoming, family-friendly setting.

How should families plan for the event?

You don’t need an appointment for the free children’s dental screenings in Collier County, but a little planning will make your visit smoother.

• Arrive between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. to allow time for check-in and the screening.
• Bring your child’s parent or legal guardian. A responsible adult must be present for each child.
• Prepare your questions. Think about any dental concerns you’ve noticed, such as tooth pain, sensitivity, or difficulty chewing.
• Plan for follow-up. If the dentist recommends additional care, ask how to schedule a full appointment.

For more details about the event, you can visit the Florida Department of Health in Collier County’s website.

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The sooner children begin regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. 

While regular dental visits for children are essential, parents and caregivers play a critical role in encouraging good dental hygiene at home, even before that first dental appointment.

Start early, even before teeth appear

You don’t have to wait until your child has teeth to begin oral care. Use a soft, damp cloth or a silicone finger brush to gently wipe their gums after feeding. This helps remove bacteria and introduces them to a routine.

How Can Parents Keep Those Tiny Teeth Healthy? 

 Make brushing fun

Turn brushing into a family activity. Brush your own teeth alongside your child to model good habits. Let them pick out a fun toothbrush with their favorite character and use a kid-friendly toothpaste. Play their favorite song or set a timer to help them brush for the recommended two minutes.

Introduce flossing early

As soon as two teeth touch, it’s time to start flossing. Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth, areas that a toothbrush can’t reach.

Don’t forget routine dental checkups

Dentists recommend scheduling the first dental visit by age one or within six months after the first tooth emerges. Regular checkups every six months allow early detection of potential issues and help children become comfortable with dental visits.

Watch out for sugary snacks and drinks

Limit sugary foods and drinks, which can contribute to cavities. Encourage healthier alternatives like fresh fruits, veggies, and water. If your child does have something sweet, make sure they brush soon after.

Accessing Dental Care in Collier County 

Healthcare Network’s pediatric dental facilities at the Nichols Community Health Center in Golden Gate and at Marion E. Fether in Immokalee welcome all families, regardless of insurance status or income. Additionally, our mobile units bring dental care directly to schools and underserved areas, reducing barriers to care such as lack of time, transportation, or financial resources. Since 2004, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile unit, funded in part by the Naples Children and Education Foundation, has provided dental screenings and preventive care to at-risk children. Our Health & Smiles Mobile Dental Clinic offers a wide range of oral health services to all ages at sites from Immokalee to Everglades City. The recently launched Van Domelen Health Express mobile unit is a game-changer in reaching families who might otherwise go without care. 

Call 239-658-3000 or visit www.healthcareswfl.org for a dental appointment with Healthcare Network.

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But it’s not just about caring for your teeth. Oral health is linked to overall health. 

The mouth is full of germs and is connected to the digestive and respiratory tracts. Without proper oral hygiene, germs can lead to infections in the mouth and are connected to problems in other parts of the body. 

Bad oral health has been linked to conditions including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Pregnancy and birth complications
• Pneumonia
• Diabetes
• Eating disorders
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Poor performance in school
• Poor social relationships.

Since oral hygiene is linked to a lifetime of health, it’s especially important to develop good oral hygiene habits in children. Such practices can contribute to improved speech development, proper chewing, and a confident smile, which can boost a child’s self-esteem and overall quality of life.

Helping children understand the importance of good oral health includes establishing habits and routines:

You don’t have to wait until your child has teeth to start oral care. Use a soft, damp cloth or silicone finger brush to gently wipe their gums.

Introduce a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-fluoridated toothpaste for infants once the first tooth appears, and brush at least twice a day, after breakfast and before bed. Children older than 3 years can spit out toothpaste, so a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste can be added once they reach that milestone. 

Bush your own teeth alongside your child to model good habits.

Cavity-causing tooth decay is almost entirely preventable. Left untreated, cavities can cause pain and difficulty eating and impact permanent teeth that haven’t even come into the mouth yet. 

What causes tooth decay?

• Germs (bacteria) in your mouth create acid when they break down food and drinks and attach to the tooth’s enamel surface. These germs can be passed from one person to another by kissing, sharing food and drinks, sharing utensils, and even blowing on food. Remember, your oral health can impact your children’s.
• Diet, including sugar, carbohydrates, and sticky foods that cling to your teeth and are not as easily washed away by saliva.
• Poor oral hygiene at home. 

Beyond establishing healthy oral hygiene habits, you can enhance oral care for your children by making a dental appointment by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in.

Your dentist can provide dental sealants and fluoride. According to the American Dental Association, the protective layer provided by sealants can reduce a child’s risk of cavities by 80 percent. Sealants are recommended on permanent molars between 5 and 7 and 11 and 14 years. 

Fluoride treatments help strengthen the tooth enamel. They are especially important in places like Collier County, which in February decided to no longer provide fluoride in drinking water.

Starting healthy oral health habits early may help reduce children’s fear of going to the dentist. Healthcare Network offers intravenous sedation in addition to existing nitrous oxide sedation to help support pediatric patients who may need several procedures during a single visit, suffer from severe dental anxiety, and/or have a medical, physical, or emotional disability that limits their ability to understand directions and remain calm.

In addition, as part of Healthcare Network’s commitment to expand access to care, our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile travels to at-risk schools in Collier County to perform dental screenings and prevention, including sealants and fluoride treatments, while introducing children to dentistry at an early age.

State-of-the-art pediatric dental facilities in Golden Gate at Nichols Community Health Center are available to all families, including patients with health and dental insurance. However, as with all our services, no one is denied care based on insurance or income status. In addition to caring for Medicaid patients, we also offer a sliding fee scale that reduces costs for qualified patients. 

Dr. Douglas B. Keck is dental director for Healthcare Network, which provides comprehensive dental care at several sites throughout Collier County. For more information, visit www.HealthcareSWFL.org or call 239-658-3000 to schedule an appointment.

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When we think of primary health, dental health is often overlooked, or *gasp* considered non-essential. With established links between oral health and overall health, routine dental care is imperative at every life stage, including young children.

People are often surprised to learn that tooth decay (or cavities) can develop as soon as a child’s first tooth comes in. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports, “by age 8, more than 50% of children have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth.” Even more surprising, cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases in children in the United States – four times more common in adolescents than asthma. Yet, tooth decay is preventable.

While we are all susceptible to tooth decay, oral disease disproportionately affects underserved populations, especially children. Children at most risk are from lower socioeconomic families where barriers to care such as caregiver low health literacy, language proficiency, dental insurance and geographic access are prevalent.  Access to care is also greatly limited by the number of dentists who accept Medicaid or provide variable fees for the uninsured.

Nationally, fewer than one-in-four dentists see more than 100 Medicaid-eligible children in a year. The Health Policy Institute finds that a little over half of children ages 2 to 18 have private dental benefits, 38.5% have dental benefits through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance program, and 10.3% have no dental benefits at all.

But baby teeth are temporary. Yes, but untreated cavities can progress into tooth infection that can spread to the jaw and face or in extreme cases, the brain. With dental decay and pain, children are three times more likely to miss school and have impaired development, lower educational performance, poor behavior, diminished quality of life, illness and more. Furthermore, lifelong habits are formed at an early age, the earlier a healthy habit is introduced, the more likely it will be adhered to in the long term. Once again, tooth decay is preventable.

Healthcare Network has been breaking down barriers to primary health services for our community since 1977. So, as you might expect, we are committed to tackling this crisis. In October, with tremendous support from the Naples Children & Education Foundation, we expanded our pediatric dental care program with the opening of our new pediatric practice in our Nichols Community Health Center. As with all our practices, no one will be denied care based on insurance or income status. In addition to caring for Medicaid patients, we also offer a sliding fee scale that reduces the cost of services for qualified patients.

As a medical and dental home, our staff works collaboratively with patients and their families to promote overall health and improve access to preventive services. The American Dental Association says, “dentistry is an essential health care service because of its role in evaluating, diagnosing, preventing or treating oral diseases, which can affect systemic health.”

Systemic conditions such as diabetes generally first become clear as mouth lesions or other oral problems. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90% of all systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms.

Why is this important? Overall community health impacts all members of our community. Community health affects educational achievement, safety, ability to work and financial stability. If neglected, poor community health can lead to more complex and costly problems such as increased chronic disease, infectious disease and crime.

How can I help? Collectively we can improve health equity for our community by identifying those in need. Daycares, schools, social services and various non-profits interact with families long before a child’s first dental visit. These are opportunities to help families understand the importance of setting up a “dental home” as soon as a child’s first tooth comes in to current and future overall health.

About the Author

Dr. Douglas B. Keck, dental director for Healthcare Network, provides comprehensive pediatric dental care at several sites and will lead the pediatric dental program at Nichols Community Health Center when it opens in mid-October. To request an appointment, call 239-658-3000.

Neapolitan Family Dental Sponsors

Naples Pediatric Dentistry

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Dr. Marilyn Sandor is one of the area’s favorite pediatric dentists. She wants to make each visit to Naples Pediatric Dentistry a successful and enjoyable experience for your child. She understands that children are curious, energetic, and always learning. Working with children and teaching them the importance of oral health care now and throughout their lives is what makes Dr. Sandor’s work so rewarding.

Pediatric Dentistry

9510 Bonita Beach Rd., Suite 101, Bonita Springs 239-333-2990

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Our mission is to provide the finest available dental care to children and adolescents, including those with special healthcare needs, while ensuring a positive experience for the future, a practical and affordable approach to dental care, and a beautiful smile. We love kids, and we understand what they need to feel comfortable in a dental office.

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The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) encourages parents and other care providers to help every child establish a dental home by the age of 1.

What is a dental home? A dental home is the ongoing relationship between dentist and patient, inclusive of all aspects of oral health. The dental home should be established no later than 12 months of age to help children and their families institute a lifetime of good oral health. A dental home focuses on preventing dental diseases and providing treatment and referral services to dental specialists when appropriate. Whether this dental home is located in a private practice, a community health center, or at a neighborhood hospital, it should be supervised by dentists trained in primary pediatric care. 

Why should my child go to the dentist? The AAPD recom-mends a child’s first dental visit to occur within six months of the eruption of the first baby teeth, because many children by the age of three already have tooth decay. Also, children who have experienced tooth decay are prone to reoccurring decay. Regular dental visits are important in helping your child stay cavity free.

What are dental caries? Dental caries are tooth decay. It happens when specific types of bacteria produce acid that destroys the enamel (the white part of the tooth) and the dentin (the inner layer of the tooth). Dental caries can cause pain when chewing and sensi-tivity to sweets and hot or cold foods or drinks.

What can I do to help my child from getting cavities? Visiting the dentist by the time your child is a year old, establishing good oral habits, and avoiding food and beverages that are high in fermentable carbohydrates, such as juices, cookies, candies, sodas, and food that stick to the teeth and are slow to dissolve.

What are good oral habits? Good oral habits should begin before your child begins teething. Caregivers should clean a child’s mouth after feeding. As your child grows older, teeth should be brushed at least two times a day (morning and night) and flossed at least one time (preferably at bedtime). You should start flossing for your child once teeth are touching. Some children might need help from a caregiver in their daily oral hygiene. If you have a teenager, you should check on their oral hygiene at least 2-3 times a week. 

What is usually done at my child’s dental visit? A complete dental exam will determine whether your child has cavities. Your child may need x-rays, a dental cleaning, and fluoride. Your dentist will let you know if your child needs to return every six months or more often for a checkup. Your pediatric dentist will also let you know when it is time for your child to see an orthodontist for possible braces and an oral surgeon for a wisdom teeth evaluation. 

 What is fluoride and does my child need it? The AAPD affirms that fluoride is important in the prevention of caries and that it is safe and effective. Your child can get fluoride both systemically, such as in drinking water, and topically, such as in toothpaste or professionally administered at the dentist. Research shows that tooth brushing with fluoride significantly reduces the formation of dental caries in baby teeth.

How much toothpaste should I use when my child brushes their teeth? Use no more than a smear or rice-size amount of fluoridated toothpaste for children less than three years of age or if your child is unable to spit after brushing. A pea-size amount of fluoridated toothpaste is appropriate for children ages three to six. Parents or caregivers should apply the toothpaste on the toothbrush for their child when they are younger. 

How can I get my child to brush? When your child is young-er than three years old or has some special needs, it is recommended that parents or caregivers brush the child’s teeth. As they grow older, children can brush with minimal or no supervision after meals, but at bedtime an adult should brush. Parents can make it a fun experience by singing a fun song, buying a toothbrush that your child has chosen, and using kid’s toothpaste. You can also brush your teeth as a family.

 My dentist told me that my child has a cavity; should the cavity be fixed? Depending on the size of the cavity, your dentist will let you know what type of treatment will be needed to treat the decay. It is important to fix a cavity on a baby tooth if needed to prevent the cavity from getting larger, dental abscesses, or even extraction of the tooth.

Now that my child has permanent teeth, I was told he needs sealants. What are sealants? Sealants protect the chewing surface of the tooth (back teeth) where most cavities in children are found. They are made of clear or shaded plastic and keep your child’s teeth cavity free. Sealants can last for years if your child has good oral hygiene and does not bite on hard objects and foods such as hard candies. Your pediatric dentist will check the sealants at each checkup and recommend repair or re-application as necessary. Seal-ants also can be placed on baby molars when needed, such as for kids that are at high risk for cavities. 

 Dr. Rose Martine Gedeon, DDS is a dentist with Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida.

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