Community Service
All of us at Smile Island are compassionate about helping others with dental health in our community and around the world. We regularly participate in various community activities and organizations. We donate our time and services to treat children and adults who have no resources to pay. Our doctors select a mixture of organizations to belong to and serve in leadership capacities. Dental missions around the world are also a common occurrence for both the adult and pediatric dentists.
Sacramento District Dental Society (SDDS)
Both Dr. Cindy and Dr. Kelvin have been members of the Sacramento District Dental Society (SDDS) since 1989. Dr. Cindy chaired the Dental Health Committee at the dental society for six years. While she was chairman she wrote a brochure on early childhood dental decay that is now distributed annually to several Sacramento community organizations for teaching purposes. She also helped to start a program that provides dental care to pregnant mothers who participate in drug rehabilitation programs. Dr. Cindy was honored to be given the President’s award and the Community Service award from the SDDS. Dr. Kelvin wrote a monthly article for the dental society publication that helped other dentists with cosmetic dental care. He also provides full mouth cosmetic rehabilitation for patients who are referred to him by the dental society or other dentists under extreme circumstances such as prolonged Methamphetamine use or homeless women who want the ability to find a job.
Smiles for Kids/Give Kids a Smile
This program was started many years ago by Sacramento dentists and is now spread throughout the United States. Every first Saturday in February dental offices all over the country open their doors to provide free dental care for underprivileged children. Our local program is run by SDDS and touches children who are not eligible for dental care through state or county programs but desperately need it. Each February since this program started Dr.’s Cindy and Kelvin participate and open their offices to screen, x-ray and treat 70-100 Sacramento children per year. We host an array of compassionate and highly professional dentists, hygienists, registered dental assistants, auxiliary staff members, and interpreters to treat as many children as we can. It is a highly rewarding experience and genuinely enjoyed by all who participate.
Adopt a Child
The SDDS Foundation often provides assistance to dentists who would like to help children or young adults achieve optimal dental health. Both Drs Cindy and Kelvin have participated in adopting several needy children and teens through this program, welcoming them into their offices and providing extensive dental care at no cost to the parent or caregiver.
Backpack Drive
Our combined office’s annual summer service project consists of working with Volunteers of America to provide back-to-school back packs loaded with supplies to children who would otherwise not be able to afford them. We purchase and fill thirty five back packs and challenge our neighboring dental offices to each fill one or two of them with us.
Adopt a Family
In the month of December we adopt a very special family into our hearts. The staff and doctors get together and donate food, domestic supplies and gifts for one or more of these exceptional families within our community.
Children’s Celebration
Beginning in October of 2007 we have organized and screened 800 children per year for the First Five of Sacramento Children’s Celebration event at Fairytale Town in Sacramento. The Children’s Celebration is a no cost event for children ages zero to five. Families can spend the day at Fairytale Town with their children and attend a health fair where they get information on community services available to them. Dental health is a large part of overall health. We work with the Sacramento Dental Society to provide free dental screenings, give advice on dental care for infants and children and refer families to appropriate dental providers.
First Five of Sacramento
Dr. Cindy has been a First Five of Sacramento Commissioner since 2006. This Sacramento County organization supports the healthy development of children zero to age five, the empowerment of families and the strengthening of communities. First Five provides funding through Proposition 10 to several programs; breastfeeding, nutrition, quality early childcare and education, community grants, fluoridation, effective parenting, medical and dental insurance and school readiness.
Traveling Dentists
Smile Island Dentists have provided care to hundreds of people around the world. Dr.’s Cindy and Kelvin went as Ambassadors to China with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and were able to visit several Universities and public dental facilities in Beijing and Shanghai to observe and learn about children’s dental care in China. One of our dentists; Dr. Candy, organizes a dental mission near her birthplace in The Philippines every other year. Dr.’s Cindy and Kelvin were able to join her in 2008 and help provide dental care to over 600 people in remote areas of the country. In the spring of 2009, the doctors continued their work as dental missionaries in Peru, treating hundreds of people in Cusco and Lima. Our other doctors have seen patients in Malawi Africa, Mexico’s Yucatan and St. Lucia with Health Volunteers Overseas.
