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A Reason to Smile
Sarah Bush Lincoln Dental Services is transforming the lives of children across our community.
Thousands of children have re-discovered their smiles because of the care provided by Sarah Bush Lincoln Dental Services.
The services provided by the program go beyond pain relief; they play a vital role in children’s emotional and mental well-being. Many children arrive hiding their smiles and leave with renewed confidence—free from pain and able to smile without hesitation. Something as simple as a dental visit can become a life-changing experience.
“So often, we see children who are either in a lot of pain or who have low self-esteem because of their dental health,” SBL Dentist Cody Gass, DMD, said. “Knowing that they feel so much better after we treat them and watching them smile when they leave is incredibly rewarding.”
The program serves children up to age 18 and is designed to meet them where they are. A mobile dental bus travels to 68 schools in a 10-county service area to provide preventative work, such as dental exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants. The fixed-site clinic provides full, comprehensive dental care.
The program started through a community needs assessment more than two decades ago. “It was determined that approximately one in eight children in our service area did not own a toothbrush,” Ashley Pryor, RDH, PHDH, said. “We provide children with new toothbrushes to take home, and some kids ask if they can have additional toothbrushes for their siblings because they are sharing the same toothbrush.”
Dr. Gass began practicing full-time with the program five and a half years ago. “I was first introduced to the program as a volunteer dentist, but working with children inspired me to focus on helping the younger population in our community,” he said. “Educating children on better oral hygiene practices and helping restore their smiles means so much to me. Many children come to the clinic with multiple cavities—sometimes five or six—and we want to help them get back to a healthy place.”
Giving kids their smiles back is a rewarding experience for the entire dental staff. “We have so many children who draw us pictures or make us cards to show how grateful they are, and it’s truly heartwarming,” Pryor said. “We’ve even had high school students tell us, sometimes through tears, that they can finally smile for school pictures or job interviews.”
The dental program serves approximately 3,900 children each year with nearly 2,800 of those children receiving care through the mobile dental bus alone.
Of the children served through the program, approximately 35 percent had no cavities; 40 percent had four or fewer cavities; and 25 percent experienced more severe dental issues, including five or more cavities or signs of pain or infection.
To qualify for care, children must meet certain criteria, including receiving benefits from Medicaid/AllKids or qualifying for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program. Services are provided at no cost to families, though Medicaid is billed.
Strong community support plays a vital role in sustaining the program. Key funding comes from generous contributions from WomenConnected, a giving circle within the SBL Health Foundation. Events such as Races for all Paces raise funds for SBL Dental Services.
“We are very grateful for the support we receive from the community,” said Tracy Haddock, director of SBL Healthy Communities. “So many children rely on this program for essential dental care, and it is only possible because of the support we receive.”
For more information, contact the SBL Dental Services at 217-235-0800.