Anna, a Mission Arlington teenager, gets a hug from the Texas Rangers’ Mascot.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “dental decay is the most common chronic disease in young people between ages five and 15.”  While younger children “typically attend dental appointments with their parents, teens have more control over their free time and may not choose to visit the dentist for regular checkups.”

As a result, many teenagers “don’t get the dental care they need,” or the “proper education to make smart decisions” regarding their oral health. (Read more here!)

For several years, two groups have come together to help Mission Arlington^® address these concerns about the dental health of teens.  This past Saturday, the Texas Rangers  and United Concordia partnered with the Allan Saxe Dental Clinic, to make a difference.  As mentioned above, teenagers are generally the most under-served population with respect to dental care.  This past Saturday, Twenty-seven (27) teenagers received care, worth about $11,000 of free dentistry.

Teen Dental Vision Day 2015 With United Concordia and Texas Rangers Spencer Patton and Chris Gimenez

A special thanks to Texas Rangers’ Spencer Patton and Chris Gimenez, and more than thirty (30) volunteers who gave their resources to make a difference with young people. It was a fun day.

Also, a special thanks to every dentist, hygienist, and all other volunteers in the Saxe Dental clinic, who give their time at Mission Arlington^®.

Your support makes a difference in the lives of real people, and we are truly blessed because of your service.  Thanks also to each and every group, like the Texas Rangers, and United Concordia, who keep giving their time and resources here.

We are grateful for this community of volunteers who come together at Mission Arlington to make a difference in the lives of teenagers.

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