KinderSmile receives $10,000 grant

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The KinderSmile Foundation, whose mission is the oral health of low-income children and pregnant and perinatal women, has been awarded a $10,000 grant by Partners for Health Foundation. Located in Montclair, PHF is observing its 10th anniversary by awarding 10 $10,000 grants to nonprofits and individuals who have made an impact on healthy living. KinderSmile, founded in 2007, has its dental clinic at 10 Broad St., in the Leo Building.

In an email, KinderSmile founder Nicole McGrath said it was because of its association with Partners for Health that KinderSmile was able to increase its oral-care access and education to thousands of children in local communities.

“They were our first funders 10 years ago to give us a grant for $15,000,” McGrath said. “In 2016, they gave us a grant for $150,000 to fund our dental home in Bloomfield, KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center. PFH has been with us at every stage of our growth. I salute them for their accomplishments in building healthier communities.”

According to Nicole Whittam, chief operating officer for KinderSmile, there were 65 nominees for an award.
“Why our organization was recognized, I believe, is that there is such a need for oral care for low-income families,” Whittam said. “In a 5-mile radius of Montclair, there are no dentists that accept Medicaid dental insurance.”

KinderSmile accepts uninsured children, from newborns to 18 year-olds, and perinatal and pregnant women with Medicaid.
“KinderSmile is a nonprofit that get grants, accepts Medicaid and most types of insurance,” Whittam said. “If the person is uninsured, we assist them to get Medicaid.”

She said the $10,000 grant will be used for the KinderSmile Oral Health Program.
“This is where we go into schools and various family-service organizations for preventative services,” Whittam said. “Doing this in schools breaks down the barrier. Parents don’t have to go to the dentist’s office or take off from work.”

All the dental materials are taken to the school. The children receive the same type of service they would in a dentist’s office: an examination, cleaning and fluoride varnish.

Whittam also said that KinderSmile is in the second year of a program that educates women about the importance of oral health care during and after pregnancy. They are given free dental care for a year. Seventy-five women were sponsored each year.

“That’s been beautiful,” Whittam said. “We’ve had 150 people go through that program. It’s because of these programs that Partners for Health chose us. There is no one doing this for the community.”

She said approximately 3,500 people are annually receiving dental care from KinderSmile and 800 are Bloomfield residents. The organization also works with the Bloomfield Department of Health which has introduced them to child-care centers.

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