Here’s How to Get Free Dental Care for Kids in Minnesota

The Minnesota Dental Association is once again offering free dental care for kids across the state with the 'Give Kids a Smile' program.

Hundreds of dental professionals around the state are volunteering their time on February 2nd and 3rd to offer free care to low-income children in need. Since starting the 'Give Kids a Smile' campaign the program has helped over 84,000 children in Minnesota.

There are two locations in St. Louis County offering free care by appointment for the dates of the campaign, Park Dental Hermantown located at 4803 Miller Trunk Highway, and the Lake Superior College Dental Hygiene Clinic located at 2101 Trinity Road. You can get a complete list of participating locations here.

All patients participating in 'Give Kids a Smile' must be 18 or younger and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and appointments can be made by calling the participating locations directly, the Minnesota Dental Association says that, "No eligibility questions are asked in an effort to remove any possible barrier to care."

According to the Minnesota Dental Association tooth decay is one of the most chronic diseases in children and teens and low-income kids have double the chance of having untreated cavities. Over half of kids between the ages of 6 and 8 have had a cavity in their baby teeth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There are several ways to make an appointment for free care, calls can made directly to participating offices, calling the United Way at 211 or texting your zip code to 898-211.