The SmileConnect Community has partnered with America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation to expand community access to oral health resources. Altarum, a nonprofit health systems research and consulting organization, created SmileConnect to leverage philanthropic donations of dental supplies and the existing skilled workforce to connect those in need of oral health resources and services with those who provide them.
Seeking to extend its resources to a larger network, SmileConnect approached America’s ToothFairy to explore opportunities for collaboration. America’s ToothFairy has developed an extensive network of nonprofit clinics, community organizations, and volunteers committed to improving oral health, so both organizations recognized the opportunity to pool resources and increase delivery of services.
SmileConnect offers oral health curricula for teachers, take-home dental kits, live classroom presentations provided by dental students and professionals, screenings and preventive service offerings, and educational handouts and materials for children and families. America’s ToothFairy is making its own resources such as its ToothFairy 101 Community Education Kit available to SmileConnect.
“SmileConnect is already active in 30 states, with 34 dental and dental hygiene schools registered, and has impacted more than 34,000 children to date. With our new partnership with America’s ToothFairy, SmileConnect will be able to increase our nationwide expansion tremendously over the next year, ensuring more children in community settings receive the oral health services, education, and resources needed for a healthy smile,” said Allison Bohlen, SmileConnect community lead.
“As a result of this partnership, America’s ToothFairy will further expand its ability to equip community oral health advocates with quality educational resources,” said Jill Malmgren, executive director of America’s ToothFairy. “Through this collaboration, we are maximizing our collective resources and ensuring more children have access to the basic education and tools they need for healthy smiles.”
Anyone who works with young children can request oral health resources, educational materials, or preventive services by creating an account at smileconnect.org/community and clicking the “Create a Request” button.
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