Mayor Ken Hopkins this week signed a proclamation and announced city-wide support for the Rhode Island Dental Association’s celebration of February as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

On Friday, Feb. 23, Mayor Hopkins met with Aaron Guckian, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Dental Association, and Dr. Gayathri Shenoy, a periodontist with RI Periodontics to discuss the ways they are helping “give kids a smile” in Cranston. Hopkins signed a proclamation supporting the month-long national health observance and the importance of oral health practice.

Starting in March, Dr. Shenoy will be working with the Cranston Public School Department. She will begin visiting each school in the district to provide free dental screenings to school-age children who have unmet oral health needs with care and treatment. This service was previously provided, Dr. Shenoy said, but has gone unfilled for the past two years. Families interested in dental screenings for their children should inquire through the Cranston Public School Department.

“I’m proud to support this important cause, and I’m excited to see the partnership between our Cranston Public School Department and the RI Dental Association continue,” Mayor Hopkins said. “Providing free dental screenings to our school-age children with unmet oral health needs is a critical step towards ensuring every child in Cranston has access to necessary dental care.

On Feb. 23, Hopkins signed a and presented Guckian with the proclamation supporting the American and RI Dental Association’s celebration of February as National Children’s Dental Health Month. On Monday, February 26, a corresponding resolution is to be presented to the City Council for adoption, sponsored by City-wide Council Woman Nicole Renzulli, Councilman Chris Paplauskas, and Councilman Richard Campopiano. Unified support for this cause not only emphasizes the importance of oral health but also highlights the power of collective efforts in fostering a healthier future for all.

At Children’s Dental Health, dentists and staff have spent the last few weeks sharing oral health tips and raising awareness of the importance of pediatric dental care at an early age. In January, local lawmakers reintroduced a bill seeking to increase transparency in dental insurance and ensure that more of patients’ premiums are being spent on patient care. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Joseph McNamara and Sen. Hanna Gallo, who said the legislation could encourage more Rhode Islanders to get the dental care they need.

If passed, the Fair Share for Dental Care act would require insurers to spend at least 85% of customers’ premiums on patient care or refund the difference. Dental insurers would no longer be able to spend that money on things like salaries or administrative costs.

To learn more about National Children’s Dental Health Month and other RI Dental Association programs, visit: https://www.facebook.com/RIDental/