Individuals may qualify for services if they meet the following criteria:

• Currently in recovery from substance use and living in a recovery home, rehabilitation, or transitional living program that has been vetted and approved by Smile for a Change

• Experiencing dental pain, infection, or urgent oral health needs  

• Committed to improving their health and stability

• Referred by a partner organization, case manager, or program leader

Priority Will Be Given To

Because resources and volunteer availability can be limited, priority is typically given to individuals who:

• Are experiencing active dental pain or infection

• Are enrolled in a recovery or transitional program

• Are preparing for employment, job training, or reentry into the workforce

• Have medical or dental conditions that require timely intervention

• Demonstrate readiness to follow through with scheduled appointments

What Individuals Should Expect

Our process is designed to be straightforward and supportive:

Step 1 — Referral by a recovery program
An individual may be referred by a recovery program that Smile for a Change has vetted and is actively working with.

Step 2 — Eligibility Review
Initial consultation is scheduled through recovery program.  Consultation consists of dental intake paperwork, dental xrays taken, health history documented.

Step 3 — Scheduling

Before dental treatment can be scheduled- participant has to be 90 days sober and verified by recovery program. (Verfication can not be by friends, family, other individuals living in your recovery home.) 

Qualified individuals will be scheduled for treatment through one of our volunteer dental partners or clinic events.  Upon dental treatment of extractions is completed, participant will need to heal for 6 months prior to replacement of extracted teeth with dentures or partials will take place.  During this healing phase if participant, relapses in sobriety or does not stay in a verifiable program he or she will forfeit the replacement of teeth in denture or partial form.

Important Notes

• Services are provided based on medical necessity, volunteer availability, and program capacity

• Smile for a Change does not guarantee treatment for all applicants but strives to serve as many individuals as possible

• There is no cost for approved services through our program

• Respectful behavior and attendance at scheduled appointments are required to remain eligible