Each year, millions of children in the United States, including up to half of those with government-sponsored dental insurance plans, do not receive the dental treatment they need to be healthy. Children from low-income homes, rural communities, racial minorities, and people with limited English proficiency face many barriers to the dental care they need to thrive.
Screening events at schools and community events are an effective way to identify children with acute oral health needs and connect them with a dental care provider who can address the unique barriers that prevent children from having a healthy smile.
Since America’s ToothFairy was founded in 2006, the nonprofit organization has helped more than two million children and teens get oral health screenings by supporting safety-net dental clinics through the National Screening Initiative, funded by Septodont.
“When our program members have the support they need to identify dental needs at earlier stages, everyone benefits,” said Jill Malmgren, executive director of America’s ToothFairy. The non-profit organization is dedicated to increasing access to oral health care for children in need and works with corporate donors from around the world to help safety net dental clinics expand services to more children in need.
“The children our members serve often fall through the cracks because their parents are either unaware that early treatment for dental disease is cheaper or that they can get help at reduced prices and sometimes for free,” he added. “Tackling problems early also frees up resources for clinics to treat more children and reduces pressure on state-funded programs designed to help low-income families.”
Checkups serve as a gateway to dental care for low-income families
When four-year-old Olivia* was examined at a public Head Start preschool in San Mateo County, California, she told the team from Sonrisas Dental Health that she had never been to the dentist. The screening group noted that she had generalized decalcification of her teeth, generalized dentin-enamel fractures, and possible dental cavities in at least nine teeth. The Sonrisas Care Coordinator learned that Olivia’s mother was having a hard time finding a dentist, but was still trying to ease her daughter’s pain. She was overjoyed to learn that Olivia would be able to see Sonrisas the very next day. Since then, Olivia has completed several dental visits, putting her on track to reach optimal health and enjoy a pain-free smile.
“Some children face major challenges in accessing care,” said Sonrisas CEO Tracey Carrillo Fecher. “Many families must make difficult choices between accessing dental care and meeting other basic needs, such as food, rent or medicine. Sonrisas creates access to oral health care by providing dental screenings in low-income public schools and making oral care affordable for families.”
Sonrisas’ Community Care Coordinator also spends time with caregivers discussing findings and helping them navigate the public insurance system, providing a concierge-like service in multiple languages. Sonrisas is one of America’s ToothFairy’s 51 nonprofit partners serving children in 22 states across the United States.
“Our program members are uniquely equipped to address barriers to care that other dental practices cannot,” added Malmgren. “As Title Sponsors of our National Screening Initiative, Septodont helped our members provide more than 125,000 dental exams last year alone in schools and other locations serving at-risk children.”
“We believe that everyone – especially children – should have access to dental care,” said Paul Mondock, President of Septodont Americas. “We are proud to be a longtime partner of America’s ToothFairy and help nonprofit dental clinics be the gateway to dental care for millions of young people in vulnerable communities.”
About America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation
As a resource provider, America’s ToothFairy increases access to oral health care by supporting nonprofit clinics and community partners that provide education, prevention and treatment services for underserved children.
Since its inception in 2006, America’s ToothFairy has distributed more than $25 million in donated products, educational materials and financial grants to improve oral health outcomes for children and youth in need.
For more information, visit AmericasToothFairy.org.
About the Septodont
Since 1932, Septodont’s wide range of products has provided the dental community with the most reliable and effective solutions to their surgical challenges. Septodont’s unwavering commitment to quality, innovation and service has earned it global recognition as a market leader in pain management and regeneration products.
Today, hundreds of thousands of dentists in more than 150 countries rely on Septodont dental products.
To learn more about Septodont, visit www.septodontusa.com.