Millions of Americans have lost their health coverage, including dental care due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. With nowhere else to turn, more people have been seeking free and low-cost dental clinics for dental care. These clinics serve as a safety net for our most vulnerable populations, but have been struggling to meet the growing demand with their limited resources.

“We’re living day by day unsure when we will run out of supplies. The only other nonprofit dental clinic in our area is fully booked out for a year and not taking any patients. People have nowhere else to go, so parents have been calling and begging us to see their kids. The need is higher than ever, but we cannot get the supplies that we need with our small budget,” said Dr. Loretta Lam, a dentist at Well Child Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides dental care to underserved populations in Elgin, Illinois. Since Dr. Loretta Lam’s office reopened this year after the initial shutdown they have been fighting to stay open.

The Smiles for All Movement was born in the wake of COVID-19 to help those lacking access to necessary dental care. This year, 17 dental companies (Forward Science, OrthoGum, Dr Kevin M Kenny Foundation, Tokuyama, PureLife, hyperbiotics, byte, BeeSure, Care Harbor, Sinclair, Midwest Dental, Aseptico, AM-Touch, Sunset Technologies, Practicon, DryShield, SISU) are giving back even as they are affected by the changing economy.

Since the inception of the pandemic these companies have donated $2.9 million in cash, products, and services. “During this unprecedented time, we want to do everything we can, in whatever way possible, to step up and contribute,” said Scott Cohen, Co-Founder of byte. Byte has used their manufacturing labs to produce medical face shields, donating them to frontline workers nationwide.

By using their resources to help others, the companies supporting the Smiles for All movement are promoting a mission of giving back when it is most needed. As more dental companies join the movement, more nonprofits will have the resources necessary to tackle this healthcare crisis, potentially changing the lives of the billions of people around the world that struggle to access dental care. To learn more about the Smiles for All movement, please visit: https://fb.watch/2irlYrPNdT/

If you would like more information on this topic, please call Anna Mai at 760-942-7211 or email anna.mai@tokuyama-us.com.