Get the toothbrush and dental floss ready. Future Smiles, Southern Nevada’s largest school-based preventive and restorative dental health program is inviting the public to learn more about oral health this February during Children’s Dental Health Month. The nonprofit will be hosting several awareness and fundraising events throughout the month to engage the Las Vegas community and bring attention to the importance of dental and oral health for local children.
Future Smiles delivers direct dental services in total to 6,500 students and dental education to 40,000 students from 50 CCSD schools. The nonprofit estimates 43 percent of the students had untreated decay and 15 percent were living with constant dental pain and needed urgent care. . Since its inception in 2009, Future Smiles has provided dental services at low or no cost to more than 100,000 at-risk children in Southern Nevada. No children are turned away, even if they lack insurance.
“People’s health starts in their mouths,” said Terri Chandler RDH, founder and executive director of Future Smiles. “Studies show that neglected dental care can contribute to a host of other health problems. Teaching children healthy oral care habits will last a lifetime.”
Children’s Dental Health Month drives, fundraisers and volunteer opportunities
Toothbrushes for Tots Toothbrush Drive: Month of February
Individuals or groups can collect donations of children’s toothbrushes, bubble gum toothpaste and floss holders or regular floss.
“Smile Bag” Dental Hygiene Kit Assembly: Month of February
Volunteers are needed to assemble “Smile Bag” hygiene kits for local students. Future Smiles provides the brushing supplies to be assembled into a bag and a volunteer signature card is signed by the volunteer that assembled the “Smile Bag”.
Volunteer and sponsor call for TeamSmile with the Las Vegas Aces: Month of February
On April 29 Future Smiles will partner with TeamSmile and the Las Vegas Aces to provide a full day of dental care to underserved children in the Southern Nevada community.
Volunteers and sponsors are needed to TeamSmile is the nation’s premier advocacy group that partners oral health professionals with professional athletic organizations to provide life-changing dental care to underserved children in our communities.
Smile with Flower Child: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. February 21
When customers order meals and mention Future Smiles on Feb. 21, Flower Child, 1007 S. Rampart Blvd. will donate 20 percent of the sales. Event proceeds will help Future Smiles provide more low- or no-cost dental services to at-risk children in Southern Nevada.
To learn more about these events and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.futuresmiles.net.
About Future Smiles
Future Smiles is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase access to dental health care for underserved populations. Founded in 2009, Future Smiles is Southern Nevada’s largest school-based preventive and restorative dental health program directly serving more than 5,000 students annually. Its goal is to improve overall health, which includes oral health, by eliminating health care barriers ending dental pain and suffering for Southern Nevada’s youth. To learn more about Future Smiles, visit www.futuresmiles.net.
