Enrollment begins for Soroptimist dental program

The enrollment period is underway for Soroptimist International of Whitefish’s Smile of Hope dental program for women.

Applications for the current round of funding are due by Jan. 31, 2019.

Smile of Hope offers 10 scholarships of up to $2,000 each year for dental work performed by one of the program’s dental partners. Participating dentists include Drs. Leslie Anthony, Ron Davis, Thomas Thurston, Neal Buffington, Robert Larson, Laura Radditz, Josh Merrill, Tere Nelson, Michael Bowman and Gary Dalen, and denturist Carl Brisendine.

The program goal is to improve women’s lives by giving qualifying, low-income women Sonicare toothbrushes, education for improved dental hygiene and provide needed dental care to improve their health and self-esteem and to improve their lives and livelihoods.

Over the past decade Smile of Hope has provided dental care for more than 70 women. Last year alone, the program completed dental work that included complete restoration, oral surgery with two full-mouth extractions, two full sets of dentures, four partial plates and eight patients received Sonicare brushes with instructions from dental hygienists.

To be eligible for a scholarship, an applicant must be the primary caregiver in the household, be employed or disabled and unable to work and have financial need. Recipients also must be non-smokers, because smoking decreases oxygenation of gum tissue, interfering with health and healing.

Applications and program education are available throughout the community at Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic, local food banks, community dinners, the Soroptimist Thrift Haus, at participating dental offices, and online at www.soroptimistwhitefish.org.

For more information call Smile of Hope committee chairwoman Joanie Sorensen at 862-3669.

Soroptimist International is a global organization with clubs throughout the world that work toward the mission of improving the lives of women and girls.