Every child deserves the confidence that comes with a healthy smile. Yet for many families, orthodontic treatment simply isn’t financially possible. Without access to care, children may face challenges that extend far beyond their teeth; from difficulty chewing and speaking to diminished self-esteem and confidence during some of the most formative years of their lives.
The AAO Foundation’s Gifted Smiles program exists to change that.
Gifted Smiles connects financially qualified children with volunteer orthodontists who are willing to donate comprehensive orthodontic treatment. It’s a simple concept with life-changing results. By providing care to children in their own communities, volunteer orthodontists help improve not only smiles, but confidence, opportunities, and quality of life for entire families.
Behind every Gifted Smiles patient is a story of resilience, hope, and gratitude. Parents who never imagined orthodontic treatment would be possible now see their children smile with newfound confidence. Like our friend, Rylan, who once hid his teeth, began participating in school, sports, and social activities without hesitation. These transformations are only possible because orthodontists like Dr. Klarsch chose to give back. See Rylan’s story here.
The need continues to grow, and every volunteer makes a difference.
Many orthodontists would gladly help if they had more time or if the process were simpler. That’s why the AAO Foundation has designed Gifted Smiles to make volunteering as easy as possible. Our team manages the application process and conducts preliminary eligibility screenings to ensure patients meet the program’s financial qualifications before they are referred. Once a patient is matched with your practice, your role is simply to provide the orthodontic care you do best.
Imagine the impact if every orthodontic practice committed to just one Gifted Smiles case.
One patient may not seem like much over the course of a career, but to that child and family, it means everything. It means knowing that someone in their community cared enough to make a lasting difference.
One case can create a lifetime of impact.
If you’ve ever considered volunteering, now is the perfect time.
Commit to just one case. One child. One smile. Together, we can ensure that more children have access to the life-changing orthodontic care they deserve.
