Dear Friend,
Thank you for being part of the KinderSmile Foundation village! With your continued support, this summer we continued to provide access to oral health care for our State's most vulnerable populations in all three of our Dental Homes and through our programs.
We are truly grateful to YOU, our donors, grantors, volunteers, and friends. The heartwarming stories in this newsletter could not have happened without you! These stories are two examples of why we do what we do, and why we chose to enter public health dentistry. There is nothing like that sparkle in the eye, when you give someone a new smile that they had been longing to have!
Your continued support and generosity have been truly appreciated! Together, we will continue to invest in our patients and work to ensure that every family has access to a dentist and preventable dental diseases are eradicated. #ItTakesAVillage
Blessings, |
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Nicole McGrath-Barnes, DDS, FACD Founder & CEO |
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The Latest KinderSmile Foundation's Smile Stories |
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This spring, a bright and glowing 17 year old high school student, we’ll call her Noor, came into our Dental Home with pain, swelling, and a severe case of periodontitis, an advanced stage gum disease that has affected her bones. Noor had been suffering for years, unable to chew on many of her affected teeth.
Attempts to visit a specialist were unfruitful, as the family could not afford the high cost of the extensive treatment she would have needed. Noor came in with her mother, who told us the story and her struggles with tears in her eyes. Due to lack of dental insurance, and lack of awareness of a place where treatment could be sought, the beautiful hardworking mother of 5 teens had not brought her or her siblings for a regular dental visit in over 8 years, unfortunately missing the window of opportunity for permanent repair. An exam revealed severe periodontitis with areas of irreversible disease, with 11 permanent teeth held in place by nothing but ligaments, deeming them unrestorable.
Their story touched us deeply, and we decided to do what we do best, absorbing the cost, and making the entire treatment complimentary.
Noor had 11 extractions, and received her immediate dentures on the same visit, to assure that she was able to smile, speak, and eat confidently. She has been pain free, happy, and even more glowing than ever before! Mom was beyond grateful, speechless, and again shed a tear, right along with all of us! |
KinderSmile Foundation’s Perinatal Health and Wellness Program (PHWP) provides oral health education and links mothers from pregnancy to three years postpartum to a Dental Home for preventive and comprehensive care. Dental care during pregnancy has been shown to be safe, effective, and recommended. Our program addresses maternal periodontal disease, which has been linked to preterm birth and low birthweight, striving to improve the maternal health crisis in the state of New Jersey.
In this grant-funded KinderSmile Foundation program, qualified mothers, uninsured due to documentation, receive credit to their account for complimentary dental care. Pregnant with her second baby, and a mother of a 5-year old girl, Gracie (changed for privacy) entered our PHWP classroom at age 25, eager and excited to learn. During the educational session we observed that she never smiled, covered her mouth, and clearly lacked confidence. |
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Gracie was eligible to receive free dental care to restore her smile to full functionality. Her first appointment revealed that Gracie suffered from severe gingivitis, periodontitis, and extensive rampant decay. She had areas of abscesses and infection, severe inflammation, and extensive bone loss. Her teeth were unrestorable. At the time, she wore ill-fitting 10-year old dentures. |
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This was not the typical oral health profile of a 25 year old woman. Her case tells the harsh truth behind preventable dental disease that public health dentists see daily. At the completion of her treatment, Gracie was a mother of two with complete dentures, who could not stop smiling with confidence and glistening eyes! |
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On behalf of the entire KinderSmile Foundation Village,
we express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support.
Your generosity brings hope and smiles to those who need it most. Your tax-deductible donation has a direct lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of every child and adult served at our Dental Homes and through our programs. |
To learn more about donations of stock or planned giving,
please email Nye Veale. |
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Toothache: The Painful Truth About Oral Health Care Inequity |
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We are proud to partner with the New Jersey Dental Association and the NJ Hispanic Dental Association for a screening of Toothache, produced by KinderSmile Foundation in 2023.
This film gives the audience a bird’s eye view of the disparities we see everyday, outlines the strides NJ has taken, and lists necessary resolutions.
Limited pre-registration seats are available in person and via Zoom:
October 08, 2024 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM NJDA, 1 Dental Plaza, North Brunswick, New Jersey Thank you to our documentary production sponsors. Your partnership and support played a key role in the continued success of this film! |
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Thank You to Our 2023-2024 Grantors: |
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