Dental Resource Program Hits All-Time High Number of Kids Served

The pandemic has caused worldwide disruption to almost every aspect of life, but the impact has been especially hard for children living in low-income homes. Organizations that provide services for these children have faced numerous obstacles to ensure kids stay healthy and continue learning. At the height of the shutdown, millions of kids living in communities with limited access to dental care – some of whom had already been awaiting treatment for a year or more – faced more delays as safety net dental clinics were forced to close their doors.

Despite these obstacles, within a year the DRP members reported serving 20% more kids than in a typical year. 50 program members provided dental treatment and/or education to more than 600,000 children – a new record for America’s ToothFairy – and oral health instruction to nearly 325,000 caregivers.

“We all had to get creative and do more with less,” Malmgren added, “but we were thrilled about what our members accomplished during an exceptionally challenging time.”

No one was more pleased than TSC EcoSolutions President, Dick Sanders. A longstanding supporter of America’s ToothFairy, TSC had increased their support to be Title Sponsors of the Dental Resource Program just months before the pandemic hit.

“Having served on the Board of America’s ToothFairy over the last two years I have seen first-hand how this team has rallied to help our members through this difficult trial,” Sanders said. “They listen to the needs of our member clinics and work with our corporate partners to fill those needs.” Over the last year, America’s ToothFairy distributed more than $665,000 in grants and donated dental supplies and equipment.

FEATURED IMAGE CAPTION: Elementary school students in Minnesota are delighted to receive toothbrushes after a visit from Just Kids Dental, a nonprofit dental care provider and member of the Dental Resource Program of America’s ToothFairy.