Sacramento area underprivileged children have something to smile about!

The Smiles for Kids Dental and Orthodontic Program is dedicated to treatment for the underprivileged children in our community.

The Smiles for Kids Program was started in 1991 by Elk Grove Orthodontist Dr. Don Rollofson and Sacramento General Dentist Dr. Jerry Ortner. Initially it was a charitable project of the Senior PGA golf tournament (Gold Runsh) sponsored by Raley's and later the Sacramento Kings. The program is now under the auspices of the Sacramento District Dental Society's Charitable Foundation, a non profit 501c3 organization. Since 1991, over $6.1 million of much needed dental care has been provided to nearly 10,000 kids, in both general dental clinics as well as an orthodontic program. Fifty Sacramento District Dental Society Orthodontists treat one child per year in their private practice offices. Over 75 general dentists and specialists and their staffs donate their time and materials for these one-day clinics.

In February 2003 the American Dental Association organized a nationwide "Give Kids A Smile" program, patterned after programs such as this highly successful local endeavor. Smiles For Kids joined the ADA in 2003 in this effort to improve the oral health of our underprivileged children.

It is our hope that local dentists participate either through hosting their own clinics in their own offices or teaming up with other area dentists and specialists.

updated 2/19/08