Local dentistry will offer free service to kids who don't have dental insurance

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Kool Smiles will have its 3rd annual Sharing Smiles Day, which enable kids who don't have dental insurance to receive free dental care.

State dental director, Dr. Tara Pursley said, "There is a gap with access to dental care with children who don't have insurance. As we all know dental treatment can be very expensive, so if kids don't regularly see the dentist, this treatment can be very expensive. So we want to make sure that kids who don't have dental insurance have access to care."

Pursley said over 500 kids are treated each year during this event.

"Whenever you see a patient coming in in pain and we can help relieve that pain, it just puts a smile on my face, and seeing the smile on the kids' faces is rewarding itself," said Pursley.

Sharing Smiles Day will take place on May 21 at Kool Smiles from 8-12 p.m.

Pursley said patients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.

They will do dental exams, cleaning, and treatment if needed.