Free Dentistry Day is set for Saturday in La Plata

Residents in the La Plata community and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to receive free dental services at Neibauer Dental Care this Saturday, Sept. 21, according to a news release.

Drs. Min Kim, Marion Williams, Ammar Awadi and the team at Neibauer Dental Care will be improving the oral health of the community as part of Free Dentistry Day, a day dedicated to providing free dental care to the growing number of Americans without dental insurance. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 108 million Americans are living without dental insurance. There is increasing evidence that links oral health to overall health and well-being, according to the release.

During Free Dentistry Day, cleanings, fillings and extractions will be provided to patients between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday at 124 Rosewick Road in La Plata. Patients will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 301-934-4357 or visit www.FreeDentistryDay.org.

La Plata police collecting baby care supplies

The La Plata Police Department is collecting baby care items for those in our community who need a little help. Donations are being accepted now through Tuesday, Oct. 15, any time of day at the LPPD Headquarters at 101 La Grange Ave. in La Plata.

The following items are most needed: diapers (larger sizes preferred), wipes, specialty formulas (Similac sensitive, advanced, soy), toiletries (soap, wash, shampoo, rash cream, lotion), clothes (sizes newborn to 2T), blankets, bibs, bottles, pacifiers, rattles, etc. Larger items: new car seats, pac ‘n plays, high chairs, cribs, infant seats and strollers.

The donations will be distributed by the Catherine Foundation to the clients of its pregnancy resource centers located in Waldorf, La Plata and Nanjemoy. For more information about the Catherine Foundation, visit www.catherinefoundation.org.

Alliance accepting grant applications

Over the past 32 years, the Charles County Arts Alliance has awarded more than $800,000 in grant funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in Charles County to support activities in the performing, visual and literary arts.

The Community Arts Development and Arts in Education grant season is now open with the posting of applications on the alliance’s website at www.charlescountyarts.org/ grants, and with hard-copies available through the CCAA Office. Application deadlines are Oct. 4 for the community grants and Oct. 31 for the education grants.

For more information, contact the CCAA office at 301-392-5900, or email info@charlescountyarts.org.

Flu vaccination clinics scheduled

The Charles County Department of Health is offering free community flu vaccination clinics for the 2019-2020 season, according to a health department news release. Flu vaccinations will be offered daily on a walk-in basis, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Evening community clinics are also scheduled in several schools throughout the county. Flu Mist nasal spray will be available this year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work and school, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible.

Everyday preventive actions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.

• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc. gov/flu/prevent/index. html or the American Academy of Pediatrics at www.aap.org/ en-us/ about-the-aap/aap-pressroom/pages/Recommendations-for-Prevention-and-Control-of-Influenza-in-Children-2019-2020.aspx. For additional information about flu clinics, visit www.CharlesCountyHealth.org or call the Charles County Department of Health at 301609-6900.

Influenza clinic vaccination schedule:

• Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, 2040 St. Thomas Drive in Waldorf.

• Thursday, Oct. 17, 3 to 7 p.m. at La Plata High School, at 6035 Radio Station Road in La Plata.

• Tuesday, Oct. 29, 3 to 7 p.m. at Picco waxen Middle School, at 12834 Rock Point Road in Newburg.

• Thursday, Nov. 7, 4 to 7 p.m. at Smallwood Middle School, at 4990 Indian Head Highway in Indian Head.

• Tuesday, Nov. 12, 3 to 7 p.m. at Westlake High School, at 3300 Middletown Road in Waldorf.