The Smiles for Life campaign, now in its 29th year, provides a unique opportunity for patients to whiten their teeth while supporting charitable causes. Since its inception in 1998, the initiative has raised more than $51 million, making it dentistry's most successful charity, according to the Crown Council, the group of leading dentists behind the campaign.
From March 1 to June 30, patients who schedule a teeth whitening treatment with a participating Crown Council dentist can contribute to the cause. The dentist donates their time and expertise, while Ultradent Products, Inc., maker of Opalescence tooth whitening systems, provides 100% of the whitening materials. This ensures that the entire cost of each treatment goes directly to the Smiles for Life Foundation. Fifty percent of the proceeds support seriously ill, disabled, and underprivileged children globally, while the remaining 50% stays in the local community, allowing each dentist to select a beneficiary charity of their choice.
For those seeking a straighter smile, Smiles for Life partners with Tréz clear aligners. A portion of the cost for each Tréz treatment is donated to the foundation. This expansion of services aims to increase the campaign's impact and engage more patients in charitable giving.
"We are proud to offer this unique opportunity to do good simply by having teeth whitened or straightened," said Greg Anderson, director of the Crown Council. "The Crown Council is grateful to our dentists, patients and corporate sponsors, who together have made the Smiles for Life Campaign a tremendous success. Through supporting local and global charities, we have increased access to dental care and improved health and wellness around the world."
Since its inception, Smiles for Life dentists have supported more than 600 local children's charities. The foundation also funds national and international oral health programs for economically disadvantaged children in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Nepal, Bolivia, and Guatemala. A longstanding partnership with the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation supports Child Life Zones in children's hospitals across the United States.
The campaign highlights the role of corporate partnerships in maximizing charitable impact. Ultradent Products' donation of whitening materials and Tréz's contribution from clear aligner sales are critical to the program's success. Patients can participate by visiting a Crown Council dentist during the campaign period. More information is available at https://smilesforlife.org/. To locate a participating dentist, click here.
