Saving Smiles Program

The Saving Smiles Program is a collaboration between UF Health, the UF College of Dentistry, the Rotary Club of Gainesville, the Children’s Trust of Alachua County and Santa Fe College. Saving Smiles promotes children’s oral health by offering free, on-site preventive and limited dental care through collaboration with community partners. The Saving Smiles program is made possible through funding from the Rotary Club of Gainesville and the Children’s Trust of Alachua County. Thank you!

Untreated dental problems can cause a number of issues, ranging from pain and infection to missed school days and lower classroom performance. Our goal is to give children and families the knowledge and resources to achieve optimal oral health and maintain healthy smiles throughout life.

Saving Smiles Appointment Request

Thank you for your interest in the Saving Smiles Program. Please fill out the form below and one of our program coordinators will call you to schedule an appointment.

Parent/Guardian Name(Required)

First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Number of Children Who Need an Appointment(Required)

Preferred Language(Required)

How did you hear about Saving Smiles?(Required)

If you selected 'Other' above, where did you hear about this program?

Details

WHERE: Community organizations throughout Alachua County
WHO: Children ages 17 and under

Services Offered

Dental exam
Oral hygiene and nutrition education
Preventative dental treatments including fluoride varnish and dental sealants
Limited dental care, including SMART fillings and simple extractions of baby teeth

Parental Information

A parent or legal guardian must be present with their child during the program
Please have your child brush his or her teeth at home prior to their appointment
In order to ensure that your child receives treatment, please arrive on time for your appointment

COVID-19 Protocols

Infection control has always been a top priority for UF College of Dentistry. Our dental outreach programs follow infection control recommendations from the American Dental Association (ADA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Below is a summary of updated infection control measures to our community dental programs in response to new guidance from these organizations following COVID-19:

We will be implementing temperature checks for all patients and dental care providers as part of our screening protocol.
All dental care providers will be equipped with higher-level Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including face shields, N-95 respirators, and cover gowns.
We will utilize physical barriers such as partitions, air filtration, and plastic sheeting for added environmental protection indoors.
We will practice enhanced disinfectant procedures and only bring in one patient at a time to adhere to social distancing protocols.

Saving Smiles Appointment Request