GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- One local dentist office is giving kids a reason to smile.

The Marillac Clinic is hosting their annual event and offering free dental exams and cleanings to children in need.

The "Give Kids A Smile Event" is also a way to promote February as dental health awareness month.

For one day, the clinic is providing free dental exams and cleanings for Mesa County's low income and uninsured children.

Dentists say they'll see around 120 children, ages 6 months to 21 years of age.

"We're trying to do preventative things by that age, like telling them they need to get off the bottle by one year of age. They do need to be brushing these teeth. These teeth aren't going to fall out soon, they're going to last the child until they're 12 years old a lot of times. These baby teeth need to last, we need to keep them clean, we need to not be having junk food all day," said Kathryn Hart, pediatric dentist.

The event is Jan. 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. An appointment must be made prior to children attending the clinic. Call (970)-298-6320.