Building Healthy Smiles: Country’s Oldest School-Based Dental Program Serves Colorado Kids
For over a century, Kids in Need of Dentistry (KIND) has been quietly changing the lives of Colorado children, one smile
at a time. Founded in 1912, KIND is the oldest school-based dental program in the country, providing vital oral health care and education to thousands of kids across metro Denver.
Their mission extends beyond simple check-ups and cleanings. KIND strives to empower families by dispelling common misconceptions surrounding children’s dental health and building a lifelong foundation of good oral hygiene habits.
Every year, KIND brings free dental screenings and fluoride and molar treatments to nearly 6,000 kids at over 100 schools through its innovative Chopper Topper program. In their two oral health care centers, they serve around 700 children as regular patients, offering care at steep discounts to uninsured and low-income families.
“What we’re trying to do here is build a lifetime of good oral health habits,” says Erin Breen, KIND’s director of development. “It’s not just about that visit or about collecting fees. Every appointment is an opportunity to
get that little life on a good path for health.”
Unfortunately, dental health is often one of the first things to be sacrificed when families face financial hardships.
“Dental health is often one of the first things to get pushed aside when finances prevent families from getting health care,” says Lisa Phillips, KIND board chair and a pediatric dentist in Westminster.
“What KIND is doing is creating this culture of dental education with families who may not believe they could do that for their kids,” Phillips adds.
BREEN emphasizes that neglecting teeth can have far-reaching consequences, regardless of age. “Some people think because it’s just baby teeth and they’ll fall out, they don’t need to be taken care of,” she says. “People often have so many barriers and things to navigate, it’s something they tell themselves so they don’t have to worry about it.”
But cavities in baby teeth can still rot into the bone, impacting a child’s overall health and potentially leading to lifelong dental problems.
KIND recognizes that building trust and educating families is a
gradual process. “It’s a slow build,” Breen explains. “There are a lot of one-on-one conversations. It’s not a
quick turnover to get folks in, it’s an investment of our time to get some kids
in the door but that’s what we’re here for and that’s all we want to do.”
To further bridge the gap and reach even more families, KIND launched the KIND Hearts Promotoras program.
This initiative trains community members to become trusted liaisons, providing education, feedback, and leadership within their own neighborhoods. Promotoras interact with around 3,000 community members every year.
“The community we serve is wary of doctors and dentists — anywhere where they might have to present paperwork,” Breen notes. “With Promotoras, there’s no gotcha involved, they just want to help the kids. It’s a really
critical component for us to reach families.”
The apprentice program, which started in June, includes seven people training as dental assistants, community health care workers, and clinic employees.
What are some specific examples of KIND’s outreach programs designed to improve children’s oral health?
## Building Healthy Smiles: An Interview with KIND
**Introduction:**
Welcome back to the show. Today we’re joined by Alex Reed, [Alex Reed Title] from Kids in Need of Dentistry, or KIND, an incredible organization making a real difference in the lives of Colorado children. KIND has been quietly championing children’s oral health for over a century – that’s right, over a century!
**Interviewer:** Alex Reed, thank you so much for being here today. KIND’s mission is truly inspiring. Can you tell us a little more about what KIND does and what makes it so special?
**Alex Reed:** It’s a pleasure to be here. You’re right, KIND has been around for a long time - founded in 1912, making us the oldest school-based dental program in the entire country. Our focus is on providing vital oral health care and education to children in the metro Denver area. We go beyond just checkups and cleanings; we work with families to empower them with knowledge and build a foundation of good oral hygiene habits for life. [[1](https://apnews.com/article/pediatric-dentist-kids-cavities-age-7720092bfec032f796b3579a87a42d31)]
**Interviewer:** This is such important work! We know dental health is often overlooked, especially for those facing financial hardship.
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. Dental health is often one of the first things families sacrifice when budgets get tight. That’s why KIND’s programs are so crucial. [1](https://apnews.com/article/pediatric-dentist-kids-cavities-age-7720092bfec032f796b3579a87a42d31) Regrettably, we see this all too often where dental health becomes a secondary concern due to financial constraints.
**Interviewer:** Tell us about some of KIND’s groundbreaking initiatives. What are some examples of your outreach programs?
**Alex Reed:** One of our signature programs is Chopper Topper. This innovative program brings free dental screenings, fluoride treatments, and molar sealant applications directly to children at over 100 schools across the metro area – reaching nearly 6,000 kids every year! We also have two oral health care centers where we provide discounted care to uninsured and low-income families, serving another 700 children annually.
**Interviewer:** Those numbers are truly astounding. It’s clear KIND is making a significant impact. What’s the ultimate goal?
**Alex Reed:** Our vision is simple: to build a lifetime of good oral health habits for every child. Every interaction, every appointment is an opportunity to educate and empower, ensuring that children have the knowledge and tools they need for a healthy smile. (Breen quote about building good habits [[1](https://apnews.com/article/pediatric-dentist-kids-cavities-age-7720092bfec032f796b3579a87a42d31)].
**Interviewer:** Alex Reed, thank you so much for sharing KIND’s incredible story with us today. I know our viewers will be inspired by your work. How can our viewers help support KIND’s mission?
**Alex Reed:** We wholeheartedly welcome any support. Donations, volunteer work, even spreading the word about our programs are all incredibly valuable. Visit our website at [KIND website address] to learn more.
**Interviewer:** Fantastic. Thank you again for your time.