Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis provides free, comprehensive dental care for underserved, low
income Club members ages 6 to 18 many of whom would not otherwise receive adequate dental
services.
In collaboration with the St. Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education (CADE),
over 1,000 youth receive free full-service dental care in a fully equipped on-site dental clinic. The Club
also provides awareness activities, including Cavity Free Zone dental education for youth ages 6 to 15
and an annual Give Kids a Smile Day to promote dental services and education. The Club has offered
comprehensive dental care to all members since 1967. Over the past 45 years, thousands of children
have received preventive and restorative dental care and over 500 children have received orthodontic
treatment.
Dental Clinic
The Dental Clinic is open three days per week for scheduled appointments, Monday through Wednesday
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dental services are provided to Club members and their younger siblings free of
charge. The only fee involved is the $25 annual membership fee. Staff at the Hazelwood and Adams
Park Units arrange appointment schedules at the clinic for members at their locations.
Services are provided onsite at our Herbert Hoover Club (2901 N. Grand Avenue) in a fully equipped dental clinic staffed
by dentists in the postgraduate dental program at St. Louis University Center for Advanced Dental
Education.
St. Louis University dentists provide a complete range of preventive and restorative services including
examinations, prophylaxis (tooth cleaning), scaling (tartar removal), fluoride treatment, oral hygiene
instruction, and sealant therapy as needed. Each youth receives two visits per year. At each visit,
dentists teach youth and parents about proper brushing and other oral health techniques and help
patients understand the impact of diet on their teeth. The Dental Clinic Coordinator maintains a six-
month recall system to promote regular care by maintaining appointment records, sending postcard
reminders, and making phone calls.
Dentists also screen for the need for orthodontics and refer youth to the SLU dental clinic for treatment
at reduced fees. Patients are selected according to the severity of malocclusion and the degree of
anticipated compliance. Consistent participation in the dental program is required.
Cavity Free Zone Dental Education
Cavity-Free Zone is a national Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) educational program which
celebrates dental health through engaging, interactive sessions, fun activities and events, and a
supportive website (www.cavityfreezone.org). The program teaches good preventive habits, helps
youth understand the importance of oral health and receiving proper dental services, and introduces
potential careers in the dental health field. Cavity Free Zone is offered during the school year in six four-
week sessions (one hour per week) at each unit, during the school year and summer program with an
average of 20 youth per class. Sessions are included as part of full-day structured programs attended by
all youth in the Club’s eight-week, full-day summer programs.
Give Kids a Smile Day
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis participates in this national event celebrating dental health to educate
children about the benefits of good oral health care and publicize dental services available through the
Club. Give Kids A Smile Day is held each February, co-sponsored by the American Dental Association and
Crest. Youth participate in a variety of engaging activities that demonstrate the importance of proper
dental care including brushing techniques and flossing. All participants receive a new toothbrush,
toothpaste, floss and activity sheets.