Smile Generation® and its nationwide network of trusted dental practices recently completed a two-month fundraising campaign in support of charity: water, a non-profit organization that brings clean, safe drinking water to people around the world. The campaign ran throughout April and May 2024 and raised a total of $1,456,414―more than doubling the initial goal of $700,000. All funds raised from this year’s campaign will go toward providing clean drinking water to people in Ethiopia by constructing community-owned, sustainable, and safe water sources built to last for generations.
Millions of people worldwide do not have basic access to safe drinking water. Since 2006, charity: water has funded water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs for rural communities, serving over 18.6 million people in 29 countries in Africa, Asia, Central America, and South America. Smile Generation has proudly partnered with charity: water since 2009, contributing a total of over $10 million in donated support over 16 years. These efforts have successfully supported the completion of over 500 water projects that now provide clean drinking water to over 290,000 people across six different countries.
Smile Generation-trusted dental practices are supported by PDS Health®, one of the country’s leading integrated dental and medical support organizations. Smile Generation connects patients with the best local dentists in their communities and provides financing options so that care is always within reach. In addition, it provides tools and resources to learn about the link between oral health and overall health, or the Mouth-Body Connection®, while also working to be a force for good in each community it serves.
“We are so proud of the entire Smile Generation community for their incredible efforts in this year’s campaign to provide clean water to people in Ethiopia,” said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of PDS Health. “At PDS Health, we know that clean water is essential for overall health and integral to strong communities. Our long-standing partnership with charity: water exemplifies our commitment to making a positive impact, not only in the communities we serve here in the United States, but globally. Together, we are ensuring that future generations can thrive doing our part to help people around the world live healthier, happier lives.”
“We are profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of the Smile Generation community,” said Scott Harrison, CEO of charity: water. “Their tremendous generosity and commitment help us continue to provide clean water to communities in Ethiopia. Together, we are meeting a fundamental need and transforming lives through access to safe, clean water.”
For more information about how Smile Generation makes an impact in the communities it serves, visit smilegeneration.com/community-service.
About Smile Generation
Smile Generation® connects patients to Smile Generation-trusted dentists who are dedicated to providing an exceptional patient experience and advanced clinical care. Smile Generation also provides financial choices for patients and education about the connection between oral health and overall health (The Mouth-Body Connection®). The Smile Generation network spans nearly 1,000 dental offices in 24 states. Smile Generation-trusted offices are supported by PDS Health®. For more information, visit smilegeneration.com.
About charity: water
charity: water is a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people around the world. With powerful storytelling and a radically transparent model that ensures 100% of every public donation funds clean water, charity: water has mobilized supporters from more than 150 countries to help end the water crisis. They work exclusively with experienced local partners to build sustainable, community-owned water projects and prove each one with innovative technology. Since 2006 in New York and 2017 in London, charity: water has funded over 154,000 water projects in 29 countries to help more than 18.6 million people get access to clean water, hygiene, and improved sanitation. For more information, visit charitywater.org.
About PDS Health
PDS Health® continues the journey started by Pacific Dental Services® in 1994, with a vision to redefine health care through the integration of dental and medical services. Its approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the company delivers a broad spectrum of services to dental, dental specialties, and medical providers, enhancing operations and care delivery for clinicians across the U.S. For more information about PDS Health and its vision, visit pdshealth.com. The Mouth-Body Connection® is a registered trademark of PDS Health.
