A Galactic Gathering for Healthy
Smile Heroes

On a starry summer night, Healthy Smile Heroes assembled. The mission: to honor those who use their powers to provide dental care for underserved children. The spotlight shone on the Beverly A. Largent Access to Care Innovator Award, sponsored by Elevate Oral Care.

A guiding force in our organization, Dr. Beverly Largent took the stage and recalled a long time ago in a galaxy far away. What did she want for the Foundation? “Eradicate tooth decay in children,” she scribbled down – the origin of our Access to Care Grants. Thus our alliance was born, armed not with lightsabers, but with determination and compassion for kids’ health.

Dr. Largent reminded us that while heroes may change, the mission remains the same: to provide children with the dental care they need. She inspired us all to become agents of change in our galactic quest for healthy smiles.

The 2024 Beverly A. Largent Access to Care Innovator Award found its hero in Dr. Nicole McGrath-Barnes, Founder and CEO of KinderSmile Foundation. Dr. McGrath-Barnes’s colleagues speak of her selflessness, infectious passion, continued vision and drive, and heart. Whether it’s a child’s life-saving dental treatment, providing care and education for families through KinderSmile Foundation, or advocating for systemic change on a state level, Dr. McGrath-Barnes leaves no stone unturned in her quest to ensure equitable access to care.

Dr. McGrath-Barnes dedicated her award to children facing oral health care inequities on a daily basis. She emphasized the importance of our support for public health dentistry. Access to dental care isn’t just about smiles – it’s about changing and saving lives. The AAPD Foundation is proud to support Dr. McGrath-Barnes.

As the night sky dimmed, we felt a renewed sense of purpose. The Force is strong with our Healthy Smile Heroes. We need your help to defeat the dark side of tooth decay.

Bring fundamental support to your community!

Local organizations near you could be one of our next grant recipients. Share this funding opportunity with your network and you could make a difference in the lives of kids in your own backyard.

Qualified applicants are eligible to receive a One Year Access to Care 
Grant of up to $30,000.

Introducing AAPD Foundation 
President Dr. Mario Ramos

I am pleased to introduce myself as the new President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation. It is an honor to serve in this capacity, and I am truly excited about the opportunity to represent our supporters in advancing the Foundation’s mission.

Thank you for your commitment to the AAPD Foundation. Whether it’s through fundraising efforts, volunteerism, or advocacy, every contribution brings us one step closer to our shared vision of optimal oral health for all children.

Your donations and support enable us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children across the nation. Your impact shows in the smiles of children and the hearts of grateful families nationwide.

Special thank-you to Immediate Past President of the Foundation, Dr. Doug Keck. Doug, 
I am proud of the work you’ve done as president and am excited to carry the torch!

I am honored to serve as the AAPD Foundation President for the next two years. 
Please call me any time with ideas or suggestions.

Patient Stories: A Birthday Smile

A young patient, we’ll call her Fiona, went to an AAPD Foundation-supported clinic on her sixth birthday. Her birthday would be unlike a typical six-year-old’s.

Fiona’s journey began a few weeks earlier when she arrived at the clinic with dental pain and discomfort. Her exam revealed that 15 of her baby teeth needed treatment: nine extractions, five crowns, and one filling. In addition to dental disease was Fiona’s asthma, requiring consultation with her physician to ensure safe treatment under general anesthesia.

Fiona’s mother, determined to alleviate her daughter’s pain, chose the earliest available appointment for Fiona’s surgery – even though it fell on Fiona’s birthday. This decision speaks volumes about the urgent need for accessible pediatric dental care in our communities.

Cases like Fiona’s are not uncommon. At this clinic, many of the young patients require extensive dental work and have additional health considerations. Our dedicated grantees provide comfortable, personalized treatment for each child.

Thanks to your generous donations, Fiona got the care she desperately needed. Your support allowed us to cover the costs of her treatment.

But Fiona’s story doesn’t end here. Across the U.S., millions of children struggle with dental issues, compounded by limited access to care. Your continued support enables us to reach these children, transforming pain into happy, healthy smiles.

Every dollar you donate goes directly towards changing lives like Fiona’s. Your generosity makes 
a tangible difference.

As we celebrate Fiona’s smile, we’re reminded of the countless other children still waiting for their turn in the dental chair. With your help, we can continue to be there for them, one smile 
at a time.

Hustle to the Hero Library!

Looking for ways to stay on patients’ and parents’ minds between appointments? Want to encourage strong at-home dental care routines 
for little heroes? Need a unique way to reward kids after appointments? 
Sick of coming up with posts for your practice’s social media? We have 
the resource for you!

It’s the HERO LIBRARY. You’ll find:

• educational posters for your office
• colorful certificates for patients
• practical take-home tools like our toothbrushing chart

Educate caregivers, promote your practice, delight your patients.

The Hero Library is for donors only. With a gift of any amount, you gain access to resources updated monthly.