Valley of the Sun United Way and St. Vincent de Paul’s Virginia G. Piper Medical and Dental Clinic have teamed up to protect children from tooth decay. Now through the end of June, 290 children in targeted areas across the Valley will receive a fluoride varnish and oral health screening at no charge, thanks to a $5,000 grant from the American Dental Association Harris Foundation and in-kind support from Delta Dental of Arizona and St. Vincent de Paul.

Fluoride varnish treatments are preventative measures designed to protect children’s baby teeth from tooth decay. The program serves children in areas where 80 percent of students receive free and reduced lunch; low socio-economic status is a leading indicator for tooth decay. The next site for varnishes will be the Chandler/Gilbert Family YMCA.

Free fluoride varnish is just one way Valley of the Sun United Way is helping ensure children and youth succeed.  This simple treatment provided twice a year keeps baby teeth healthy and strong, assisting in speech development, proper nutrition, guiding adult teeth into place and contributing to the child’s positive self-image.