A fun trip to the dentist at the Cradle of Aviation

A group of local dentists volunteered last week to help get kids on their way to building healthy teeth. 

Seventy-five dentists from the Nassau County Dental Society, with the help of 200 more volunteers, provided free dental screenings to about 1500 students as part of the “Give Kids a Smile” program at the Cradle of Aviation in East Garden City on Feb. 4. Sponsored by NEFCU, the program offered an array of free services to children who otherwise do not have access to dental care. Students came from the Freeport, Roosevelt, Uniondale and Hempstead school districts. 

The NCDS started this national initiative on Long Island about seven years ago. 

“It is so critical to bring kids to the dentist at an early age,” said Dr. Michael Shreck. “Because so many things are preventable, what happens is that they let it go and by the time they bring their kid to the dentist, it doesn’t become a very positive experience.”

As they waited, students had the option to tour the Cradle of Aviation and Nassau Firefighters Museums. They also had a chance to ride the famous Nunley’s Carousel. There were puppet demonstrations, videos and even a DJ spinning popular music. 

Dr. Stuart Yurman, whose office is in East Meadow, agreed with his colleague. “We are giving the kids a positive dental experience in a non-threatening and actually exciting and energizing environment,” Yurman said. “Very often those first experiences stay with you through your whole life.” 

In addition to the dentists and members of their staffs, dozens of student volunteers from Lynbrook, Long Beach and Chaminade High Schools were on hand to assist.

The NEFCU, formerly the Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union, has many branches in Nassau County, including locations in Westbury, Franklin Square, Valley Stream and Rockville Centre.