Check Out What's Happening at TeamSmile

From the Chair of the TeamSmile Board of Directors, John DeMark

2020 has been a difficult time for everyone and our hearts and prayers go out to those that have been lost and everyone affected by the pandemic. During these arduous times TeamSmile has listened to our partners, sponsors and the scientific community. We have worked to ensure we can do what is possible to deliver on our mission to help those children in need with their dental care. Our team, in conjunction with the clinical community, has developed virtual programs to ensure we can educate and serve in a safe and effective manner.

We are excited to deliver the care we can today with your support as we prepare for a time when our traditional programs can once again start in earnest. And with the advent of vaccines coming in the near future we all have reason to be hopeful to deliver on our full mission to provide children in need with free dental care and ultimately find a dental home for all those we serve.

None of this happens without the generous contributions from our sponsors, volunteers and partners. With your support we are able to continue our mission and prepare for 2021. It is amazing that this charity began with humble means with the vision of Dr. William Busch and Jason Krause in 2007. More than a decade has passed and we have now served almost 50,000 children and provided more than $17 million in free dental care and oral health education.

With your help we continue to expand our services to more communities and provide more dental care to those most in need. During these difficult times - now more than ever - these children need our help and support. Every donation matters!

You may make your tax-deductible contribution through our website at www.teamsmile.org/donate, or by sending a check (made to to TeamSmile) to TeamSmile, P.O. Box 901498, Kansas City, MO 64190. Contributions received by December 31st will be tax-deductible in the 2020 calendar year. Please know your support is greatly appreciated today.

The TeamSmile Board and staff would like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe Holiday Season and Healthy New Year. Thank you for all that you do for TeamSmile and the children we serve.

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From the Desk of John McCarthy, Executive Director, TeamSmile

Due to COVID-19, 2020 has clearly been a challenge for the Mission and impact of TeamSmile. With this said, with the input of our Staff and our Board of Directors, we’ve gotten creative about how to fulfill our Mission during this time. As such, I’m pleased to write to you to let you know that we have, indeed, launched our Phase II programs in Kansas City. We’ve been pleased to work with multiple branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs, along with the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals, to conduct our initial Phase II programs. The United Way of Kansas City has been kind enough to partner with us to provide the funding to help us get these programs off the ground.

As we begin 2021, we are excited to expand these Phase II programs to various markets throughout the country. While these programs are very scaled-down (relative to our traditional TeamSmile programs in stadiums and arenas), they are safe and they are impactful. If you’re interested in hosting a Phase II program in your community, please contact Kellie Reneau at kellie@teamsmile.org or 816-510-8121.

Additionally, we are very pleased that Dr. Meelin Dian Chin Kit-Wells is taking the lead on the creation of TeamSmile Virtual Oral Health programs. Through her leadership, we have enlisted the support of dental school students at the University of Buffalo, and expect to hold live video sessions on a monthly basis throughout all of 2021, beginning in January. This is an exciting initiative, and we are very grateful to Dr. Dian!

While 2020 has been challenging, we are excited about an impactful 2021, and we thank you for your continued support of TeamSmile and the children that we serve.

TeamSmile Spotlight

Dr. Meelin Dian Chin Kit-Wells

TeamSmile Board of Directors

Dr. Dian, a Pediatric Dentist and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, joined the TeamSmile Board of Directors on January 1, 2018. She will be leading the creation of the TeamSmile Virtual Oral Health Education program. About this educational program, Dr. Dian says, “TeamSmile virtual says - we are still thinking about you and taking this time as an opportunity to reach you where you are…… I can't wait for our Josh Allen (Buffalo!!!) to do the floss dance with the kids, even if virtually!!!...Yes I'm putting it out there!”

A native of Trinidad, she went to Dental Nurses Training School in her home country before earning her Bachelor of Science Degree from Howard University. Dr. Dian earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

She is a highly decorated dentist who strives to give back and make a difference for others. Throughout her career, Dr. Dian has earned the following honors and awards: UB Dental Alumni Association Humanitarian Award; Give Kids a Smile Day Institute Award Recipient; Minority Dental Faculty Development Award for Scholarly Activity; Dental Women’s Guild Scholarship; Tucker Scholarship, Howard University Zoology Department Award For Excellence and the Who’s Who in American Colleges.

Dr. Dian has written, researched and presented extensively on a wide range of subjects within the dental profession. She’s currently a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the 8^th District Dental Society, the American Dental Education Association, the National Dental Association and the American Dental Association.

Dr. Dian has this to say about TeamSmile: “TeamSmile puts theory in to practice! I value being a part of a not-for-profit organization that does the right thing and loves what they do. TeamSmile has allowed me to provide care for communities with children at risk of poor oral health. To be able to do that alongside their athletic hero - is priceless.”

Partner Spotlight

The CAPTRUST Community Foundation has chosen TeamSmile as their Charity of Choice for 2020, which includes a $100,000 donation to TeamSmile. TeamSmile is tremendously grateful for this partnership and this contribution.

At CAPTRUST Community Foundation, we believe that the hearts and minds of children should be cherished, protected, and nourished. We support organizations that specifically help children with physical disabilities, illnesses, abuse, poverty, absence of a parent, and more.

Plain and simple, we want to enrich the lives of all children. Over the ten years we’ve been in existence, we have given away over a million dollars with that goal in mind. In some cases, we give small grants directly to vetted charities, and in other cases we provide larger grants and partner with charities to help them achieve more than just money would provide.

"We at the CAPTRUST Community Foundation are incredibly excited and fortunate to work with this year's Charity of Choice, TeamSmile," said Tiffany Larew, president of the CCF and manager of employee relations at CAPTRUST.

To Learn More About CAPTRUST Community Foundation Click Here

Thanks for Supporting TeamSmile

Your Gift Matters

Please contribute to TeamSmile to help us provide free dentistry to underprivileged children throughout the country. Through our partnerships with professional and major college sports teams, we’re able to create a lifetime experience AND provide life-changing dentistry for children in great need. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.