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Profile of National Children's Oral Health Foundation and Three Affilliates

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National Children's Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) is an organization we've all heard of in some way or another – probably through its most endearing persona America's Toothfairy. You might donate. You might read about it in the news. You might even participate in some of its programs.

NCOHF supports a national affiliate network of community-based oral health programs located everywhere from Washington, DC, to the small rural towns of Washington State. NCOHF affiliates work to eliminate pediatric dental disease by providing comprehensive care to local underserved children. Affiliate models uniquely represent the communities they serve and range from mobile units and universities, to foundations and clinics. Here are just a few successful examples.

KinderSmile Foundation
Location: Montclair, New Jersey
Web Site: www.kindersmile.org

KinderSmile Oral Health Program (KSOHP)
Volunteers visit preschools, daycares, Head Start, Early Head Start and middle schools, providing on-site preventive exams, cleanings and fluoride varnish, as well as presenting age-appropriate oral health education workshops for caregivers and teachers. If participating children are not insured, KSOHP directs them to local offices that offer services pro bono.

Pre-/Post-natal Oral Education Program
Volunteers provide education, nutritional workshops and a dental "home" to at-risk, pregnant mothers by collaborating with Early Head Start programs and United Way/WIC programs. These programs help women to understand the connection between their oral health and their developing fetus.



University of California at San Francisco
Web Site: www.dentistry.ucsf.edu

UCSF Clinic
Named the NCOHF Affiliate of the Year for the remarkable impact the UCSF Clinic is having on their community, UCSF faculty and supervised student dentists provide comprehensive oral health services based upon the unique dental needs of each pediatric patient. With support from NCOHF, UCSF has expanded vital educational and preventive programs offered both in-clinic and during various outreach initiatives conducted throughout the school year, reaching children in the Bay Area's most underserved communities.

Students United for America's Toothfairy (SUAT): UCSF Chapter
A student-action group dedicated to increasing local awareness of pediatric dental disease. Students in the UCSF Chapter of the SUAT improve community oral health literacy and raise critical funds to support vital preventive services in their community.

Run by a board of students and assisted by Dr. Brent Lin, the group started a tooth-brushing program throughout Bay Area low-income preschools to encourage mid-day brushing and adoption of healthy habits. They also take part in oral health fairs, provide oral hygiene education and teacher training.

United Methodist Mexican American Ministries
Location: Garden City and Dodge City, Kansas
Web Site: www.ummam.org/dental.html

UMMAM Clinic
With NCOHF support, UMMAM provides a full range of preventive treatment and restorative treatment services on a sliding fee scale basis according to household income. UMMAM accepts all dental insurances, but most patients qualify for the minimum service fee.

Lifetime Smiles Program
Clinicians provide preventive and educational services in area daycares, Head Start, preschools, and public and private schools. The program gives oral health supplies to those in need, helps families understand and use available dental insurance, arranges treatments at the dental clinic and other dental clinics, educates patients on oral health topics and provides pre-natal information.



Inspiring, isn't it?
Here's how you can get involved:
Tomorrow's Smiles works with volunteer practitioners to provide pro bono restorative and aesthetic dental services to promising at-risk teens, renewing their self-esteem and encouraging them to take responsibility for their own oral health. Recipients also participate in a "Pay It Forward" program to teach younger children lessons on how to break the cycle of pediatric dental disease.

The America's Toothfairy Dental Home Program gives caring dental professionals the opportunity to provide underserved youth with ongoing comprehensive pro bono dental services in a compassionate health-care environment.

Through national partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and National Association of School Nurses, NCOHF will match practitioners with pre-screened local students in need of dental services.

Go to www.americastoothfairy.org and click "Contact" to volunteer or register a child.

Student's United for America's Toothfairy (SUAT): SUAT is a student action group comprised of dental, pre-dental, hygiene and nursing students who are dedicated to increasing local awareness of pediatric dental disease. SUAT groups educate local families about maintaining good oral health and providing vital tools for a lifetime of proper care. Upon acceptance into the SUAT program, each chapter receives a comprehensive toolkit filled with templates and information and a one-time stipend of $500 to ensure your SUAT group quickly becomes a valuable asset for the health of your community.

Request a SUAT application by e-mailing americastoothfairy@ncohf.org. Visit www.ncohf.org for more information.
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