UNC Walk for Health pledges $1,000.00

to Piedmont Health Services

UNC Walk for Health pledges $1,000.00 to Piedmont Health Services to help provide for the basic dental needs of children.

March 12 is Dental Health Day in Chapel Hill-Carrboro

     Chapel Hill – February 15, 2016 – To support children’s dental health, UNC Walk for Health is partnering with Piedmont Health Services to offer a morning of free dental screenings for children 5-17 years old. The event will take place from 8:15am to 1:15pm on Saturday, March 12^th at the Carrboro Community Health Center.

Two   dentists   from   Piedmont   Health   will   provide   services   for   the children, including dental cleanings, exams, fluoride treatments, sealants on the first molars and x-rays, if age appropriate.

To receive these services, parents will need to call UNC Walk for Health prior to the event and make a reservation at (919) 593-1093. Space is limited, therefore services will be rendered on a first call, first come basis.

Infections in the mouth can cause major health problems in other organ systems in the body. The connections to diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses are well-established.

William Thorpe,   who   is   in   charge   of   promotions   for   UNC   Walk for   Health, said the donations fit in with UNC Walk for Health’s objectives. “This donation to Piedmont Health is part of our year-round periodontal campaign to raise awareness of the importance of good oral health as a key component of overall good health,” Thorpe said.

Brian Toomey, CEO of Piedmont Health, added that dental health is a key focus of Piedmont Health. “We provide dental services at four of our centers because we strongly believe that better dental care habits and early detection of potential dental problems, particularly in children, will significantly prevent dental problems as they age,” he said.

Piedmont Health, located in Carrboro, operates 10 community health centers in central   North   Carolina   is   dedicated   to   providing   high-quality,   affordable   and comprehensive primary care to improve the health and well-being of the community. Piedmont also operates two Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, in Burlington and Pittsboro. For more information, visit http://www.piedmonthealth.org.