Giving a Smile Foundation Brings Life To The Forgotten Element in Children’s Healthcare
—by Morgan Langworthy
There is a forgotten word in healthcare and it is right on the tip of your tongue. Well, the tongue, the teeth, and everything in between. Dental!
As adults, we have the power to direct and lead our healthcare journey, but really, the journey is dictated by the healthcare we had access to in our youth. Our oral health is often put far too low on the list of health priorities. We aim to change that with the Giving a Smile Foundation.
In the last year, the Giving a Smile Foundation has provided hundreds of children with professional, free dental care so they can maintain a bright smile and prevent oral health problems such as cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, and more.
Imagine a child in your community, who does not have access to a clean toothbrush and was never taught how to brush their teeth correctly. Naturally, plaque will build up in their mouths resulting in cavities. The real danger lies beyond cavities (which are really just infections in your mouth) to the big scary words in healthcare: cancer, asthma, Alzheimer's, stroke, and more. The same plaque on their teeth is the plaque that can be found in clogged arteries.
Children without access to dental care are not just left with poor dental hygiene, they are slowly building future medical bills. Giving a Smile Foundation works to bridge the gap for youth in our community who do not have access to dental care.
Our mission is to help underprivileged children and young adults gain access to preventative dental care to keep their teeth and gums healthy. With an emphasis on patient-centered care and a passion for building connections in the local community, we aim to help families improve the oral health of children so they don’t face dental health issues in later adolescence or adulthood.
When children come in for their treatment, the Giving a Smile Foundation team is waiting with open arms to greet them and talk through what to expect that day.
Each kid will have four stops on their dental adventure!
Hygiene, to clean their teeth, take x-rays, and identify anything that may need more attention.
Restorative care is where they will have any potential cavities cleaned and filled.
Specialty care is for any child that needs care for their gums, orthodontia, or even have a tooth pulled.
Dental Education is where the kids learn how to brush, floss, and even receive nutritional coaching. They learn the importance of oral hygiene and how best to maintain it. Teeth cleanings and exams are critical but those can be short-term solutions if they do not learn the crucial basics of dental self care.
In addition to our team of accomplished Doctors, we invite graduate students from UCLA to join every quarter in an effort to provide the best care to as many children as possible.
During our last event, one child walked in with mysterious dental pain and walked out pain free with all four wisdom teeth extracted! Our goal is health, in the mouth and in the mind. We walk the path of oral health together with our patients, navigating the twists and turns hand-in-hand.
Armed with the knowledge to take care of their oral health, each child leaves smiling, feeling empowered by their clean and healthy teeth, ready to take a bite out of life!
Founded by Dr. Rodney Raanan and Dr. Justin Raanan, The Giving a Smile Foundation hopes to continue to provide quality dental services for families in need. Next time you think about health, remember the importance of dental. We invite all to join Giving a Smile Foundation to start making a lifetime of difference in our community.
(310) 205-5300, rifkinraanan.com, 414 N Camden Dr #1280, Beverly Hills
Photos by Valentina Socci Photography