Smiles Change Lives

What a great way to end a stressful week! A Mom sent this encouraging note reminding us why we do what we do. "My daughter Marcella had her braces put in on January 5th, 2021 and we were extremely happy with the Orthodontist and staff at Spillane & Reynolds. From the bottom of our hearts we want to thank Smiles Change Lives for making all this possible and will always be forever grateful. The gift SCL gave my daughter of providing her a chance to build confidence and a beauti...ful smile will never be forgotten. Organizations like Smiles Change Lives are rare and I am truly blessed and feel by a miracle I found your website when I did and truly appreciate all that you have done for my daughter. Thank you a million times over for the tremendous impact your generosity has had on our lives." Spillane & Reynolds Orthodontics #sclprovidersrock #smileschangelives

A sight not seen in 800 years happens tonight when Jupiter and Saturn will be so closely aligned, it will appear as one bright star. Officially called the "great conjunction" it's being called a "Christmas star". According to NASA, the fact that it is happening during the winter solstice is a coincidence. It will appear in the southwestern sky and will be most visible during twilight in the two hours following sunset.

Look at that smile; it is fantastic! Thanks to Dr Jim Haack and his team at Haack Orthodontics for Carter's healthy new smile. #nomorebraces #sclprovidersrock #smileschangelives

Today marks the winter solstice - the shortest day of the year. From this point and for the next six months, the days will get increasingly longer. The moment of the solstice happens everywhere on Earth at the same instant - 4:02 a.m. CST.

That smile on Trevor's face couldn't be any bigger. He just finished Phase 1 of his journey thanks to SCL Provider, Dr. Casey O'Conor, Orthodontist and his team. #bracesoff #sclprovidersrock #smileschangelives

Today is Giving Tuesday. If you are able, please consider supporting Smiles Change Lives in order that we might help more families unable to afford the full cost of braces for their children. Life changing, thankful, blessed, generous, kindness and overflowing joy are the words that come to my mind to describe your program especially during this Covid and Thanksgiving season. Are family will be forever grateful and truly thankful. I can’t wait for my time to give back and share financially."" - Lynette #GivingTuesday

Kids in foster care have had a harder time than usual with the changes made due to the covid pandemic. Here is a highlight of the challenges and what our business partner, IFOSTER is doing to help the situation. Way to go!

Jalon, an SCL Participant sent this in today after his orthodontic appointment: "My braces journey is going just like I dreamed it would go. I love the team at Byrdsmiles Orthodontics they are best, and I still take donuts to show my appreciation for them." #sclprovidersrock

This week started off with a big smile from SCL participant, Kyler. Shout out to Dr. Blake Borello and his team at Borello Orthodontics for this young man's health new smile! Kyler's Mom included a fun note: " My son just recently got his braces off. I really wanted to thank you guys for this program and for giving my son the opportunity of having beautiful teeth. His excitement while watching his teeth straighten out was truly emotional, as i know i never would have been abl...e to afford this for him otherwise. Again, Thank you all so much! Now if only i could get him to cut his hair!" #sclprovidersrock #sclalumni

We are thankful for all of our partnering providers like Dr. Bowen of Bowen Orthodontics who work with us to help change the lives of kids forever! #sclprovidersrock #nomorebraces

The first Friday of October is designated as #WorldSmileDay. It was in 1963 that Harvey Ball created the yellow smiley face we've all come to know and love. It has become one of the most well-known symbols in the world. In 1999, World Smile Day became an official holiday in order to spread goodwill and cheer. People are to use the day to smile and make small acts of kindness worldwide.... We hope the SCL logo also makes you smile as it has helped us change lives over the past 23 years. #smileschangelives

Welcome to October! There is so much happening this month. Here are several especially close to our heart here at SCL: #nationalorthdontichealthmonth #nationaldentalhygienemonth #nationalbullyingpreventionmonth

Tamburrino Family Orthodontics - TFO will be screening children for braces through the nonprofit Smiles Change Lives on the following dates: Saturday, October 3, 2020 9am-12pm Tamburrino Family Orthodontics... Kennett Square Office 688 Unionville Rd., Ste. 101 Kennett Square, PA 19348 Register for the event at: https://www.smileschangelives.org/tamburrino-orthodontics/

Happy Birthday to SCL Provider, Dr. Lisa Grant of Grant Orthodontics! This is one of those milestone birthdays.

Ashley is ready to share her healthy new smile with the world. Shout out to SCL Provider, Dr Jeff Roeder and his team at Roeder Orthodontics for helping this young lady on her journey! "My teeth have been the biggest insecurity of mine. Sometimes I try to push my teeth in so they could shift and become straighter. In the mornings my jaw would throb because at night my teeth grind against each other." We received a note from Ashley's Mom too:... "It would mean the world for Ashley to be granted braces to fix her smile. Ashley is a very responsible young lady, She graduated early to be able to start college early. Working hard has allowed her to buy her own car to go to work, she pays for her own insurance. As a stay at home mom of 5, our finances don't allow us to pay to fix her smile. I feel for her, due to her mouth type she grinds her teeth which is a cause of her headaches and low a self esteem. Thank you for the opportunity!" #bracesoff #smileschangelives #sclprovidersrock #lovemysmile

Let's kick this weekend off with some fun photos. Here is a photo of SCL Participant, Patrick with his doc, SCL Provider, Dr. Scott Behnan. Patrick faced some extra challenges and he really appreciated the way he was treated. They put him at ease and treated him with patience and kindness. Shout out to Dr Behnan and his team at Blue Water Orthodontics for Patrick's healthy, confident smile!... #sclprovidersrock #sclalumni American Association of Orthodontists University of Michigan School of Dentistry American Dental Association American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

So excited to see SCL Provider, Dr. Kristen Fritz of Fritz Orthodontics in Holly Springs, NC on the news being recognized for her work with Smiles Change Lives. We love bragging about what our providers are doing to give back in their communities; we couldn't do what we do without you - all of you! #sclprovidersrock... American Association of Orthodontists Southern Association of Orthodontists American Dental Association North Carolina Dental Society

While it's been a year like no other, we all have many blessings to be thankful for. Stay safe!

Another DIYDentistry warning against viral TikTok teeth-whitening technique. Using the wrong products puts the health of your teeth at risk. https://www.health.com/c/oral-health/tiktok-teeth-bleaching #consultadentist... #sclpsa #smileschangelives See more

We love hearing from SCL Alumni! Today, we got an updated photo from Naomi. She got her braces off In January 2019. That healthy, beautiful smile radiates confidence! Thanks again to Dr. Paul Lund and his team at Lund Orthodontics for this transformation. #SCLAlumni #sclprovidersrock

Grant got his braces off in February. We got the "after" photo today. Wow; was it worth waiting for! He owes his healthy new smile and swag to SCL Provider, Dr. Zach Mellion and team at Mellion Orthodontics- Fairlawn and Medina. Thank you! We are excited for Grant and the new school year. #bracesoff #sclprovidersrock American Association of Orthodontists... American Dental Association The Greater Cleveland Dental Society Akron Dental Society See more

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

This morning at 8:31am central time, the fall equinox began in the northern hemisphere - the season of changing leaves, hot cider, sweaters, shorter days and cool nights. The word "equinox" is Latin for "equal night" where in most places the daylight lasts as long as the night time.

No two people are exactly the same, isn't that great? This means that each and every person has a unique talent. Share with us what your unique talent is. #celebrateyouruniqetalentday... #smileschangelives See more

Lily recently finished her journey with braces thanks to Dr. Jeff Roeder and his team at Roeder Orthodontics. We wanted to share her before and after photo with you as well as part of her essay on why she wanted braces. "Hi my name is Lily! I am in the 9th grade. I really want to get braces to correct my crooked teeth and give me a beautiful smile so I can gain confidence in all that I do. Most of all I have been suffering from TMJ. My jaw pops and continues to hurt on a dai...ly basis. My brother went through the SCL program. I have seen first hand how beautiful his smile has turned out. He used to smile with his mouth closed but not any more. I see the confidence that my brother has gained from having straight teeth. He smiles with his mouth open to show his gorgeous smile. I hope you consider me for braces! I would be forever grateful!!! I think it's amazing what your organization does to help so many children. I hope one day I can give back to my community to change people's lives." #smileschangelives #sclprovidersrock #nomorebraces #whywedowhatwedo

SCL participant, Jair just started his braces journey thanks to Dr. Kristin Clark and her team at Clark Orthodontics. That smile is only going to get better; we can't wait to see it!

International STAND UP to Bullying Day is a special semi-annual event in which participants take a visible, public stance against bullying typically by wearing a pink t-shirt. The color of the shirts is based on a campaign started by Travis Price and David Shepherd, two students who took a stand for a fellow student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. This identifies a peer based support structure to victims and their bullies in a non-confrontational way. ... #StandUpToBullyingDay #stopbullyingstandupspeakout #stopbullying #smileschangelives

We're kicking this weekend off with a Thank You to Dr. Howard Shullman and his team at Shullman Orthodontics for this young lady's beautiful, healthy smile. "McKayla has gotten her braces off and has been given her retainers. Dr. Shullman was AMAZING! They are professional, kind, gentle, efficient, and helpful. What a wonderful practice! We are so very thankful to Shullman Orthodontics, but we also want to thank you all. McKayla's smile has never been brighter!" #sclproviders...rock #bracesoff #nomorebraces See more

Today is World Kindness Day! Simple gestures have a powerful impact on the World. Practicing kindness towards others can improve their mood and inspire people to extend kindness to others. Make random acts of kindness a priority today and every day! #worldkindnessday #smileschangelives

The National WWI Museum is located in downtown Kansas City, MO not far from Smiles Change Lives headquarters.