One in five kids in America goes without receiving dental care each year. That equals approximately 14.5 million children who run the risk of suffering from oral infections that can become serious and interfere with their ability to learn and thrive.

To improve the oral health of children who face barriers to dental care, America’s ToothFairy provides essential resources that help safety-net dental clinics serve more kids. The nationwide nonprofit organization donates dental products and equipment along with financial grants to its Dental Resource Program (DRP) members who serve an average of 500,000 children annually.

FirstHealth Dental Care has been a DRP member since 2008. Located inSouthern Pines, NC, the dental clinic serves nearly 3,700 children from surrounding rural counties where access to dental services is scarce.

“The financial grants and product donations from America's ToothFairy impact our mission by ensuring children have what they need to prevent decay,” said Dr. Sharon Harrell, FirstHealth’s dental director. “Because our practice consists primarily of children with Medicaid as well as uninsured low-income children, expenses outweigh revenue. America's ToothFairy helps keep us afloat.”

One of the ways America’s ToothFairy supports its mission is through their annual online auction. This year “Bid For Smiles” raised nearly $19,000 during the event, which ran from March 20 to March 22^nd. Proceeds will be used to help 3,500 kids access dental services.

‍

“We believe that kids with healthy smiles have a better chance of reaching their potential,” said Jill Malmgren, executive director of America’s ToothFairy. Since 2016, Bid For Smiles has raised $745,000  to support the delivery of dental care and oral health education for kids in need nationwide. “Our work is made possible because of participation from dental offices across the country in addition to corporate supporters like GC America and Darby Dental, who sponsored Bid For Smiles this year.”

Participants bid on more than 30 items including an Apple watch donated by Darby Dental, a SciCan Statim G4 2000 autoclave, Cavitron® 300, and AED Plus defibrillator donated by Patterson Dental, and other donated dental products worth more than $35,000.

The next auction will be held March 19-21, 2025. Visit BidForSmiles.org to sign up to receive reminders.

To learn more about becoming a sponsor or donating an auction item for upcoming auctions, contact Jill Malmgren at jmalmgren@ncohf.org or call 704-965-2070.