Miles of Smiles mission
To provide charitable dental care, in a community-based setting, to the needy children of Clay and Platte Counties.

You can help a child live a longer, healthier life. Since Miles of Smiles launched in 2002, we’ve seen more than 11,932 children for 26,280 chair visits, providing charitable dental care in a community-based setting to the needy children of Clay and Platte Counties. That’s 11,932 children whose lives are changed because of your support.
   
So what difference does a clean, healthy mouth make in a child’s life? Consider this: Recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show about 20 percent of preschoolers—that’s children ages 4 and 5—have tooth decay. And 50 percent have tooth decay by the third grade. By the time children reach the age of 17, 86 percent have tooth decay. More than 52 million school hours and more than 164 million work hours are missed each year due to dental problems.
  
 The good news: By adding dental varnish to routine dental procedures, we can prevent 48 percent to 60 percent of cavities. At a small cost—about $1 per treatment—we can eliminate the need for many expensive, time-consuming, painful procedures. Remember, the donations we receive not only help children feel better—they give them the opportunity for a brighter, more successful future.