Saving Smiles is committed to improving oral health outcomes for children in underserved communities. The impact of neglecting the oral health of these children is comprehensive and profound, as poor oral health has been linked to detrimental outcomes in learning, communication, nutrition, and overall quality of life. Our mission is to enrich families with knowledge and resources to maintain good oral health in support of total health and wellbeing and believe that prevention is the key to a healthy future. To achieve this, we aim to standardize preventative dental practices in primary care settings, establish comprehensive healthcare systems and conduct  oralhealth educational workshops designed for various audiences including children, medical professionals, and parents. It is also our goal to change attitudes and behaviors about dentistry by developing innovative strategies to create social change and influence society to engage in home care routines scientifically proven to prevent the tooth decay. Through community outreach, education, and partnerships, we strive to create a world where all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential and lead happy, healthy lives.

INCREASE

OBJECTIVE

Increase the knowledge and awareness of oral health among pediatricians, children, teachers, and parents in underserved communities.

BACKGROUND & RATIONALE

Knowledge about the importance of oral hygiene, nutrition, fluoride, sealants, can prevent oral diseases and health complications. 

ACTIVITIES
  • Developing updated, educational materials with engaging content for this generation based on best practices and evidence-based research.

  • Providing Pediatricians with dental referrals and educational materials to improve patient care. 

OUTCOME

Our projects are based on best practices and evidence-based research that demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of oral health education and access in improving oral health outcomes and well-being.

  • We expect at least 80% of the children and adolescents who participate in our oral health education sessions will demonstrate increased oral health knowledge as measured by tests and surveys conducted by the CDC.

IMPROVE

OBJECTIVE

Improve oral health attitudes and behaviors among children and adolescents of underserved communities.

BACKGROUND & RATIONALE

Improving oral health education and access can have multiple benefits for children in underserved communities including:

  • Improved physical health by preventing or treating oral diseases and complications that can affect other parts of the body.
  • Reducing pain, stress, anxiety, depression that can result from poor oral health will improve mental and emotional health.
  • Improving social health by enhancing self-esteem, confidence, communication skills that can be affected by poor oral health.
  • It can improve academic health by increasing attendance, concentration, performance that can be affected by poor oral health.
  • It can even improve economic health by reducing costs of dental care and increasing opportunities for employment or education that can be affected by poor oral health.

ACTIVITIES
  • Purchase and assemble dental hygiene kits for children.
  • Distribute dental hygiene kits containing educational pamphlets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and fluoride rinse to 500 children in metro Atlanta within one year.
  • Inspire underserved youth to pursue higher education and careers in dentistry or related fields, which will benefit not only themselves but also their families and communities.

OUTCOME
  • We expect at least 70% of the children and adolescents who participate in our oral health education sessions will report improved oral health attitudes and behaviors as measured by surveys conducted by the CDC
  • And at least 80% of the children and adolescents who complete their dental treatment will report enhanced self-esteem

REDUCE

OBJECTIVE

Reduce the incidence and severity of tooth decay and its complications among children and adolescents in underserved communities. 

BACKGROUND & RATIONALE

Oral health is often neglected or overlooked due to lack of awareness, prevention, insurance coverage, or access to dental care. As a result, many children suffer from oral diseases and complications that could have been prevented. 

  • Dental sealants prevent tooth decay and also stop cavities from growing.
  • The Surgeon General's report on oral health indicates that sealants can reduce decay in school children by more than 70 percent.
  • The combination of sealants and fluoride has the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay in school-aged children. Sealants are most cost-effective when provided to children who are at highest risk for tooth decay.

ACTIVITIES
  • Coodinating events to provide preventitive care services such as sealant and flouride treatments to underserved youth in the community.

  • Establishing relationships with local dental clinics and mobile dental units to provide the preventive care services.

  • Develop relationships with local dentists who are willing to provide discounted or pro bono services to qualified candidates.

  • Follow up with each child and adolescent to ensure that they receive the treatment they need and maintain good oral health habits.

 

OUTCOME

At least 60% of the children and adolescents who receive preventive care services will show reduced signs of dental diseases and complications as measured by clinical examinations conducted by the CDC.