Smile For A Lifetime
Nationally, Smile for a Lifetime (S4L) provides scholarships for orthodontic care for hundreds of patients each year, and has participating orthodontists throughout the US. Each chapter has its own Board of Directors who chooses the patients to be treated by the Foundation.
Who We Are
Smile for a Lifetime Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization that provides orthodontic care to individuals who may not otherwise have the opportunity to acquire assistance. Launched in 2008, Smile for a Lifetime Foundation aims to reach individuals with financial challenges, special situations, and orthodontic needs.
Our Chapter
We, at Spillane and Reynolds Orthodontics are driven by excellence. This in turn, extends outward to our surrounding communities. As a team, we are determined and passionate about providing exceptional patient care and uncompromising integrity; resulting in the need to give back and deliver “Amazing” results to our young candidates. We truly feel and believe by helping our youth that this will build their self-worth, encourage ambition and motivate them to have a positive outlook on their future, and our community.
Guidelines in applying for braces through Smile for a Lifetime Foundation
- Applicant must be a resident of the Metro Detroit area.
- Applicant must have a significant aesthetic need for braces.
- Applicant must demonstrate financial need and qualify with Federal Poverty Guidelines chart.
- Applicant must be between 11 and 18 years old.
- Applicant must be a currently enrolled student.
- Applicant should demonstrate a positive attitude and demeanor.
- Applicant must agree to follow the treatment plan and demonstrate the ability and commitment to make all appointments on time.
- Applicant is encouraged to display involvement and leadership in extracurricular activities.
Application Requirements:
- Child’s hand-written questionnaire (download, print, complete and upload to your profile),
- Copy of last year’s tax-return, unless you are a foster parent,
- Two one-page letters of referral from qualified adults see restrictions within application,
- Photographs of your smile (we instruct you in the application how to take these photos),
- A dental referral form,
- School transcript or report card, and
- You may also be asked to submit a plan for a service project to help others in your community.
Smiles Change Lives
Changing Lives One Smile At A Time
Since 1997, Smiles Change Lives has delivered orthodontic treatment to more than 8,000 children nationwide. Over 700 generous orthodontic providers donate their time and efforts to change the lives of motivated, deserving children in their communities.
The Virginia Brown Community Orthodontic Partnership was established in 1997 as a community-based orthodontic program to help children from low-income families, whose self-esteem was impacted by having crooked teeth, receive orthodontic treatment. Now known as Smiles Change Lives, it has grown into an international organization with close to 750 orthodontists participating in the program. To date, over 6,000 children have received life-changing orthodontic treatment through SCL.
Smiles Change Lives has a unique model that matches children from low-income families, who need orthodontic treatment, with caring orthodontists willing to provide such treatment. Each family must agree to abide by the program’s rules and contribute a set amount to SCL to be approved for the program. SCL uses these funds to recruit more doctors willing to treat more children. In this way, each family truly “pays it forward”; by helping their own child, they are making it possible for the next child to be treated as well. Since its inception, more than 99% of the children approved for SCL have successfully completed treatment.
How the Program Works
SCL is looking for youth who meet the following criteria:
- Are between the ages of ten and 18
- Have no more than four baby teeth and no unfilled cavities
- Have good dental hygiene
- Are not currently wearing braces
- Meet the SCL financial guidelines
- Are willing to follow the SCL program rules and make the required financial contribution