As we mark the 10th anniversary of our annual Sharing Smiles Day this May, it's important to take a moment to express gratitude to the many Benevis' clinical and administrative volunteers who make this initiative possible year after year and to celebrate their ongoing dedication to addressing the oral health needs of underserved populations.
Established as a volunteer event, Sharing Smiles Day reaches children and families in disadvantaged communities that general dentists often overlook. This year, dentists and hygienists across our network of Benevis dental homes will again donate their time to prioritize the delivery of free dental care, including dental exams, limited emergency care, extractions, restorative care, and cleanings to uninsured families.
Over the past decade, more than 3,000 Benevis volunteers across 13 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. have shown what it means to lead with compassion. They've dedicated their time and expertise to ensure that children and families with little to no insurance receive high-quality dental care, addressing their oral health needs. What began as a small initiative has grown into a measurable movement that has provided over 3,400 patients who might otherwise go without dental services with much needed support for their dental health.
Addressing Gaps in Oral Healthcare Matters Now More Than Ever
Across the country, we are witnessing a shifting landscape in healthcare coverage. Medicaid work requirements, the expiration of continuous enrollment, state-level policy changes, and gaps in Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) plan coverage have left many children and their families with little to no dental coverage and surging out-of-pocket costs. Benevis closely monitors these evolving regulations that put millions at risk of losing access to oral care, which is often the first thing to go when coverage is cut.
Collectively, we must remember that oral healthcare is not a luxury. It is foundational to overall wellness, academic success, professional development, and dignity. When a child can't sleep at night because of untreated tooth pain or a parent misses work because of a dental infection, that's not just a healthcare issue; it's a societal one.
Central to Benevis' mission is improving access to essential dental healthcare and creating dental homes for families in diverse communities and those with various forms of insurance, including Medicaid and CHIP. Sharing Smiles Day affords us an opportunity to impact an even broader group of patients, especially those without insurance, and we're thankful for that chance to give back each and every year. Benevis’ clinical teams that volunteer their time are doing more than performing a kind gesture, they are delivering a vital response to a growing need. They are bridging care gaps and giving children the educational know-how to care for their teeth through daily brushing, flossing, and the importance of good nutrition for a happy, healthy smile.
Benevis' administrative teams work to coordinate appointments, manage outreach, verify patient eligibility, and ensure each family feels welcome at our dental homes, which is a powerful thing. Their dedication to the company's mission is felt in every happy parent and every relieved patient.
As we look to the future, this milestone serves as a celebration of what Benevis has accomplished and is a reminder of the work still to be done. Access to oral healthcare for underserved populations remains one of the most significant challenges in dentistry. But Benevis dental homes are up to the task.
Here's to the next 10 years of making a difference in dental health!
-Bryan Carey, CEO, Benevis
