Dental News - Smiles Change Lives connects orthodontists with children in need

Vocus/PRWEB

Mon. 14 February 2011

save

KANSAS CITY, MO: “I love to smile now. It’s just automatic,” exudes Carrie, a recent Smiles Change Lives program alumna. Now a beaming 16-year-old with aspirations of college, sports and a nursing career, Carrie attributes her confidence and positive outlook to a dental transformation that began three years ago.

“I used to shy away from cameras and didn’t smile or raise my hand in class. I really hated showing my crooked teeth, but my family couldn’t afford braces,” she admits. Carrie’s school counselor noticed she was struggling in school and was developing issues with her self-esteem so she recommended Smiles Change Lives to Carrie’s family.

“It was almost too good to be true. Finally, we found a program that helps working families trying to make ends meet,” shares Shelby, Carrie’s mother. “We applied to the program, found out that Carrie met the Smiles Change Lives guidelines, and got Carrie assigned to a wonderful orthodontist near us for a very reasonable price.”

With more than 900 immediate openings nationwide, SCL is a national nonprofit organization that connects caring orthodontists with children in need. With nearly 400 orthodontic providers, and more joining each day, SCL is seeking applicants who meet the following criteria:

Ages 11-18 with good oral hygiene.
With family income at or below 200 percent of federal poverty level.
With crooked teeth and/or misaligned jaws.

“We’re not a family that takes handouts, and we’re thankful that we still have our jobs. But with pay-cuts and several kids in the house, we couldn’t afford braces for Carrie. Smiles Change Lives was the miracle we needed to help Carrie find her true smile,” adds Carrie’s mother.

When asked how she will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, Carrie remarks, “Well, I’ve got a date to the Sweetheart Dance for the first time. I can’t wait to pose for the pictures and show off my perfect teeth!”

Dentists, counselors, nurses and teachers are encouraged to nominate a child for this program. Interested families may view program guidelines and download an application at www.smileschangelives.org/apply or by calling (816) 421-4949. Smiles Change Lives serves families at varying income levels. For more information on financial qualifications, please visit www.smileschangelives.org/qualify.

(Edited by Fred Michmershuizen, DTA)

To post a reply please login or register

Smiles Change Lives honors volunteer champions

KANSAS CITY, MO, USA: Smiles Change Lives, an organization that provides life-changing, essential orthodontic treatment to children from low-income ...

Mrs. Globe showcases smiles with the ‘Power to Change the World’

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA, USA: Opalescence was a proud sponsor of the 2011 Mrs. Globe Pageant on Aug. 27, 2011, in Rancho Mirage, Calif., where over 40 delegates ...

Providing orthodontists with clinical freedom and workflow efficiency

Ormco Corporation has announced the launch of Ormco Digital Bonding (OBD). With this development, doctors can streamline daily workflow and achieve ...

Dealing with orthodontist burnout

According to Boyers(1), education is the single greatest catalyst for lasting change on our society, and the author suggests committing ourselves, as well ...

Non-invasive caries therapy with Curodont: Answering a growing need in pediatric dentistry

The National Institutes of Health report titled Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges states that dental caries is still the most prevalent oral ...

A smile makes a difference for a teen in need

NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: With intelligence, ambition and a naturally outgoing personality, Stephanie seemed to have a bright future ahead of her. Unfortunately,...

Doctors bike coast to coast to give smiles to kids in need

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., USA: For Dr. Don Montano and Dr. Robert Relle, an orthodontist and a maxillofacial surgeon, respectively, creating smiles is more than ...

InTouch Communications helps dentists connect with patients

Change is a good thing. Just ask the people at InTouch Communications (formerly On Hold Advertising). Not only are they celebrating their exclusive ...

Access to care in Kentucky has increased, yet children face pressing needs

LOUISVILLE, Ky., USA: Access to oral health care has increased since 2001, yet more children face urgent dental needs, according to a new study ...

PAW’s ‘tatooth’: Buccal aspect adventure connects hygienist with lab tech

Just prior to his retirement, my boss decided it was time do some farewell dentistry on me. Poor old #18 had been patched and repatched for years. The tooth...

Education

Live webinar
Mon. 22 April 2024
10:00 AM EST (New York)