The A.L.E Children’s Dental Center sponsored by Assistance League of Eugene provides free dental care to students ages 5 to 18 years from low income families. Eligible students come from the Eugene schools as well as schools in surrounding areas. Applications to verify their needs are available from school nurses or counselors only*.

The project began in 1996 with 210 children receiving treatment. This endeavor has steadily progressed with 758 students obtaining free dental care in the 2003-2004 school year. To date over 3,000 children have been served with $1,000,000 worth of donated services since 1996.

A.L.E. Children’s Dental Center continues to operate due to the generosity of the numerous volunteer dentists, orthodontists and hygienists. Our Eugene chapter provides a professional assistant who coordinates the entire project while Assistance League members staff the office.

February is National Health Month. A.L.E Children’s Dental Center in partnership with Lane Community College Dental Department provides free teeth sealants on “Children’s Sealant Day”*. Children’s Sealant Day was Saturday February 26, 2005 at Lane Community College Dental Department. This service is available to children from low-income families on a first come, first serve basis. In addition, chapter members participate in the “Give A Kid A Smile Day” national program.

“Give A Kid A Smile Day”* was Friday February 4,2005. This free dental care program is coordinated through the public school system. This program improves the oral health of large numbers of children from low-income families and also highlights the access-to-care issue for policymakers.

*For more information about these services and how to sign up for next year (or...next year's events), please contact your local school.

** For further information, contact Lane Community College Dental Department or the Lane County Dental Society.