Senior citizens who frequent South County Government Center in Alexandria can receive a free education and dental screening on Friday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteer dentists from the VDA will visit the center to discuss the importance of oral health.

The effort comes on the heels of “Where’s the Chair?,” an event where the VDA places a portable dental chair in a public place to offer impromptu oral cancer screenings. Every year, 42,000 people are diagnosed with and 8,000 die from oral cancer.

The VDA staged “Where’s the Chair?” on Friday, January 29 at Audrey Moore RECenter in Annandale and the Spring Hill RECenter in McLean.  At the event, passersby at the two rec centers received oral cancer screenings. Now, Fairfax Parks & Rec and the VDA have decided to team up again. 

“We are excited to continue our partnership with the VDA,” said Barbara Nugent, park services division director at Fairfax County Park Authority. “Proper dental care is critical for seniors, and it’s important for our team to provide an opportunity for everyone to learn.” 

The VDA and Fairfax Parks & Rec will join forces twice more this summer. On Friday, July 22 and Friday, August 12 (each time from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), VDA-member dentists will discuss the importance of oral health with campers. The Fairfax County Park Authority is the largest camp provider in Northern Virginia.