A class of students from Cate School in Carpinteria organized 3,000 dental kits last week at our warehouse as part of their annual Public Service Day.

The kits – which contain toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss – will be distributed to local organizations providing dental care to Santa Barbara County kids in need, including Eastside Family Dental Clinic; Isla Vista Youth Projects; Santa Barbara County Education Health Linkages; and the Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center.

After children receive dental care and education from these local Direct Relief partners, they are given a dental kit to ensure they have everything they need to practice good hygiene while at home, as it’s a hardship for many of their families to buy these supplies.

Providing children access to treatment, education, and the supplies are especially important because tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. In fact, Dental care for children is one of the greatest unmet health needs in Santa Barbara County. For ten years, Direct Relief has been working with local organizations to help children from low-income families who couldn’t otherwise afford these services.

Direct Relief is grateful for the volunteers from Cate School for lending their time to help others and for helping make this program possible. Many thanks!

Related Links: Local Programs; Local Students Pack Emergency Supplies for First Responders