Mission Statement
At Smile for a Lifetime, it is our mission to create self-confidence, inspire hope, and change the lives of children in our communities in a dramatic way. The gift of a smile can do all this for a deserving, underserved individual who, in turn, can use this gift to better themselves and their community.
What We Do
A healthy smile impacts more than just physical health—it builds confidence and transforms self-esteem. Orthodontic care is often mislabeled as a cosmetic luxury, but it plays an essential role in treating and preventing oral health issues and reducing appearance-based bullying. Poor dental appearance, surpassing even weight and height, is the leading reason children face bullying. For tens of thousands of low-income families and foster care youth in the United States, this heartbreaking reality adds incredible stress.
Smile for a Lifetime was founded by a dedicated group of orthodontists and dental professionals who recognized the urgent need to connect underprivileged youth with essential dental care. Established as a national organization, the charity streamlines the application process for free orthodontic care, allowing orthodontic and dental professionals to volunteer easily.
How does this program fulfill our mission? By providing orthodontic care to children who are often ridiculed for their appearance, we help build their confidence and self-esteem. Many young people treated through the Smile for a Lifetime program return to share how transformative the impact has been on their lives.
Smile for a Lifetime does not charge for the orthodontic treatment – participating orthodontists and orthodontic manufacturing companies provide FREE services, including the cost of one set of retainers. The only cost a family will incur is an initial $500 application fee to help cover the cost of the program.
Contact Us
Smile for a Lifetime has participating orthodontists across the United States and Canada. If you are interested in applying for assistance, please click on the Apply for Braces icon above, and S4L will begin searching for a provider in your area.
National Headquarters
Smile for a Lifetime Foundation
6547 North Academy Blvd. #304
Colorado Springs, CO. 80918
Phone: (719) 535-2777
Fax: (719) 312-6000
E-mail: Info@SmileForALifetime.org
