A Reason to Smile

Photograph by Harvey Finkle

Images of noisy drills, big needles, and scary-looking metal tools make many youngsters wary of visiting the dentist. An added impediment for some families is the cost. But at Kids Smiles, a Philadelphia charity that provides dental care for children from low-income families, the clinic decor is kid-friendly and the services are free or carry minimal fees. Cheerful posters with positive messages — such as “Brains get hungry too” — cover the clinic’s pink, orange, and blue walls, and youngsters can watch entertaining videos while seated in the dentist’s chair.

Founded in 1998 by a Philadelphia dentist, Joseph R. Greenberg, Kids Smiles serves more than 13,000 youngsters a year, ages 1 to 15, with its 25-person paid staff and additional volunteers. When the clinic officially opened in 2001, nearly 60 percent of its patients had some form of tooth decay, says Cheryl A. Janssen, the group’s executive director. Last year, less than 30 percent did.

In addition to providing dental care at the clinic, Kids Smiles staff members annually visit 20 local schools to talk about oral hygiene, healthy eating habits, and the risks of smoking, as well as to do a cursory check of students’ teeth. The exam results are updated each year, and children who need care are sent home with a note for their parents referring them to the clinic. Kids Smiles plans to expand to a second Philadelphia site this fall.

Medicaid reimbursements account for 70 percent of the group’s $1.4-million budget. The rest comes from fees, set on a sliding scale based on income, from families who have no insurance but can afford to contribute a small amount toward care, as well as from donations from individuals, foundations, and companies.

Here, nursery-school students receive a visit from a Kids Smiles staff member dressed as KASS (Kids Are Super Special) the Kangaroo, who demonstrates proper brushing and flossing techniques.