www.kindsmiles.org

Kids in Need of Dentistry (KIND) is a non-profit, charitable health organization for children that was founded in 1912 by a committee of dentists from the Denver Dental Society. It is the oldest dental charity in the United States.

Concerned about impoverished children in Denver receiving essential dental care, the dentists opened a clinic in the Denver Public Schools. It is still in operation today at Morey Middle School in Capitol Hill, where it moved in 1924.

Additional clinics were opened in the mid-1960’s throughout the metro area. Clinics are currently operating in Commerce City, and at Morey Middle School. In 2003, KIND opened its first permanent clinic outside of the Denver area at St. Francis Health Center in Colorado Springs.

In 1998, KIND launched the Chopper Topper program, which targets second grade students of low-income schools in the Denver Metro area. The Chopper Topper program targets second graders because their molars are newly erupted and have generally not had time to decay. Providing sealants to newly erupted permanent molars has been proven to be effective in preventing cavities.

In 1999, KIND launched the Miles for Smiles mobile dental program as a major step in the battle against oral health problems in under served populations of Colorado. Comprehensive dental services are provided in a state-of-the-art mobile dental clinic for eligible children in communities throughout the state.

KIND’s mission has remained constant for more than 97 years. It is to provide quality, comprehensive dental care to children up to the age of 18 from families of low income. KIND is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of interested community members and dental professionals.