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Nevada kids get free dental care as part of national study

Posted at 10:56 AM, Oct 11, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-11 14:37:42-04

Young children in Headstart or Early Headstart programs may be getting a visit from the dentist, at no cost to parents. For many kids, it could be their first time seeing a dentist.  

According to a study done by UNLV, about 1 out of every 10 Headstart kids in Nevada have cavities or tooth decay that hasn't been treated. Now, a new program is trying to change that. 

UNLV School of Dental Medicine has partnered with Oral Health America, Smiles Across America, and Ronald McDonald House Charities to start their Early Childhood Caries Prevention Project. 

Essentially, oral health teams will be making the rounds, visiting 64 Headstart and Early Headstart Centers across the state, as part of a three-year study. They hope to learn how to better prevent early childhood cavities.