The Power of A Smile...

$50 - Sponsor a caries prevention treatment for one child, a fluoride varnish that prevents the development of cavities for up to three months.

$250 - Give the gift of a dental cleaning, examination by the dentist, and needed x-rays.

$5,000 - Cover the cost of a full set of dentures for an older person, so she can talk, eat, and smile at her grandchildren.

$25,000 - Underwrite coordination of dental care for children in El Rio's Pediatric Programs. When a child comes for a pediatric check-up, specially trained El Rio staff screen for needed dental interventions, arrange for caries prevention, and follow up by phone with parents.

While more than 100,000 Tucsonans lack medical insurance, many more lack dental insurance. Dental health is directly related to many serious, life-threatening health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. Poor dental health affects people of all ages, from children to the elderly. Your Gift of a Great Smile helps ensure that a child doesn't become malnourished because she has too much mouth pain to eat, that a dad gets a job because he smiles in the interview, and that an elderly woman can get much-needed cancer treatment now that her gum disease has been addressed.