Now accepting nominations for the Access to Care Innovator Award!
Big Love
for Little Teeth
With your support, we are helping to ensure all little teeth get the care they need and deserve.
Oral health directly affects overall health
Children do not have equal access to the dental care they need
Half of the children in elementary school have cavities. Cavities in young kids can harm their health, development, and quality of life – both in the short-term and over time.
51 percent
of children between the ages of 6 and 11 have cavities.*
1 in 10 children
with cavities suffers from pain, making it hard to chew and eat healthy foods.*
51 million
hours of school are lost each year in the U.S. because of poor oral health.*
*Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
OUR IMPACT ON LITTLE TEETH
How we make a difference
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation is dedicated to making dental care accessible to all children by providing community dental grants to support dentist-led clinics who give routine cleanings, advanced treatments, and ongoing care to kids in need.
Get Involved
See what we’re all about! Tune in to the latest news to stay up to date on everything we’re doing.
Events
Join us for any upcoming events! Missed an event? Don’t worry! We have them all here for you.
Promote & Provide
With dental referral kits from Tess Oral Health, we’ve raised over $45,000 in the past 10 years! Connect with new potential patients while supporting the AAPD Foundation & preventive care for children
Get Your Referral Kits
Make a Difference
Small Batch, Big Impact: The One Barrel Challenge
A single barrel of wine can make a big difference! Two Oregonian vineyards with a shared passion for giving back, McCollum Heritage 91 and Adelsheim Vineyard, crafted a single barrel each – Adelsheim’s 2021 Pinot Noir and McCollum’s 2021 Chardonnay.
The best part? 100% of the proceeds benefit the AAPD Foundation!
Both wines are available together in a limited-release 6-pack. Every sip helps create healthier, brighter futures for children.
Wine is for grown-ups, but healthy smiles are for everyone 😊
NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS!
Dr. Beverly A. Largent Access to Care Innovator Award
This award recognizes excellence in providing dental care to children, especially vulnerable populations. Do you have a colleague who goes above and beyond for kids in their community? Is there an unsung Healthy Smile Hero on your team? Nominate them here.
Become a healthy smile hero!
With your help, we can give more children the dental care they need—and the healthy smile they deserve.
Stories & Testimonials
Quotes and photos shared by the organizations we support. Hear directly from grantees about the impact of your donations.
“We love our dentist! She is the best ever. She is so good with my special needs child.”
Father of Patient KinderSmile Foundation Bloomfield, NJ
“Thank you to the dental surgery team for easing our nerves and for communicating with my non-verbal son in a way that he could understand–by using his favorite stuffed animal as a“patient!” Thank you for treating him with dignity, but most especially, love.”
Mother of Patient St. Bernard Dental Center Chicago, IL
“For large families, our center has become a trusted dental home. Older children who have had procedures completed share their positive experiences with younger siblings, so they aren’t fearful.”
Dr. Travis Nelson University of Washington Center for Pediatric Dentistry Seattle, WA
“When a three-year-old boy arrived to the clinic, he was in tremendous pain with severe tooth decay and had never seen a dentist before. Thanks to funding from the Access to Care Grant, we were able to treat him under full anesthesia, allowing him to get the care he needed without fear or pain. Now he is extremely happy and loves to smile. His family expresses their gratitude to all the donors who helped make this change in his life.”
Volunteer Pediatric Dentist Community Volunteers in Medicine West Chester, PA
“Thank you to the amazing staff for treating my daughter with so much patience and love. You guys rock!”
Nessa, Mother of Patient KinderSmile Foundation Bloomfield, NJ
“I was surprised when Juanita came to my door after missing her phone calls. She offered to provide rides to the clinic. I felt overwhelmed doing it by myself and she made sure I had the support I needed. She was very helpful. I am truly grateful to the AAPD Foundation for helping this program!”
Mother of Patients Cook Children’s Medical Center Fort Worth, TX