KinderSmile Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing barrier-free oral health education and dental care in Bloomfield, Newark, and Trenton, New Jersey, announces the dual premiere of their documentary Toothache: The Painful Truth about Oral Health Care Inequity.
Toothache exposes the gap in access to oral health care and forges innovative solutions for a healthier future. KinderSmile Foundation Founder and CEO Dr. Nicole McGrath-Barnes stated, “We are bringing attention to the need for broad access to oral health care and education, regardless of a patient’s means or zip code, and advocating for steps we can take to bring profound change.”
Dental disease is the leading epidemic among low-income families. Research links periodontal disease to diabetes, heart disease, respiratory infections, and dementia. Dental caries inhibit your ability to eat, sleep, learn, play, and work.
Partners for Health Foundation is sponsoring Toothache’s North Jersey premiere and panel discussion on Thursday, November 9, from 7 – 9 PM at The Clairidge Theater in Montclair. Pam Scott, Executive Director of Partners for Health Foundation, shared, “We are proud to support this screening and panel discussion and to help fund the creation of this documentary. This film will raise awareness of the deep inequities in access to oral health care in New Jersey and across the nation. We hope that NJ legislators will heed this critical public service message and advance policies to provide comprehensive oral health care for all New Jerseyans.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Partners for Health Foundation for the continued support over the last 15 years, and for sharing KinderSmile Foundation’s mission of advancing health equity in New Jersey,” stated KinderSmile Foundation’s COO, Dr. Michal Herman.
There is no charge to attend the Montclair screening on November 9, thanks to sponsorship support from Partners for Health. However, tickets are limited and pre-registration is required. Click HERE to reserve your tickets.
KinderSmile Foundation will honor Dr. Sara Kalambur, DDS, a pioneer advocate for expanding access to care, KSF Board Secretary, and volunteer provider, at the Montclair screening. Dorrie Gagnon, RDH, will be honored for being a KinderSmile Foundation leader, volunteer provider, and Board member.
The Central Jersey premiere will be on Saturday, October, 21, from 5 – 9:30 PM the Social Profit Center in Hamilton, NJ. After the screening, they will host a panel conversation with local health and community experts featured in the film, followed by a cocktail party and live jazz to celebrate KinderSmile Foundation’s major milestone.
At the Hamilton screenings, KinderSmile Foundation will honor Dr. Darwin Hayes, DDS MHA FAGD, for his work to make dental care and oral health education more accessible, and a priority in New Jersey. Deborah Sands Gartenberg of The George H. and Estelle M. Sands Foundation will be honored for being the catalyst of KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center Trenton, and her continued support and guidance.
KinderSmile Foundation was founded in 2007 to provide underserved children and families with access to comprehensive dental care and educate children and their families about the importance of dental hygiene. Through their Dental Homes in Bloomfield, Newark, and Trenton, and offsite programs, they have served more than 43,000 smiles and provided more than $10 million of in-kind care.