Kool Smiles, US

Since 2002, Kool Smiles has been providing children with top dental care in an effort to combat the unmet dental needs of an alarming number of American children. Started in Decatur, Georgia, Kool Smiles now has offices nationwide to serve both children and adults. All dentists at Kool Smiles hold either a Doctor of Dental Surgery or a Doctor of Dental Medicine from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association. When dentists join the Kool Smiles team, they undergo several weeks of training, both clinical and classroom, on evidence-based treatments and the Kool Smiles mission. Kool Smiles dentists are chosen for their demonstrated commitment to serving children and promoting good oral health. In order to ensure the highest level of service, dentists at Kool Smiles are audited semi-annually by the Chief Dental Officer and dentists also attend quarterly Kool Smiles Professional Staff Meetings to discuss professional issues and receive further training.

All Kool Smiles offices are spacious and designed to be “kid-friendly,” decorated with bright colors and interesting images and complete with a children’s play area. Kool Smiles utilizes an electronic health records system and digital radiographs to track a child’s oral health. Knowing the importance of communication, Kool Smiles always confirms that both the patient and a child’s parents are aware of the relevant health issues and comprehend the treatment options. Kool Smiles partners with local schools, daycare centers, and social service agencies to guarantee that the dental needs of all children are met. To promote awareness within the community, Kool Smiles holds free Oral Health Education and Dental Screening sessions. For more information about Kool Smiles, please visit KoolSmilesPC.com or call (866) GET-KOOL.



Kool Smiles: Governor O’Malley’s Healthy Smiles Tour

Kool Smiles has recently teamed with Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, the Deamonte Driver Dental Project and other dental providers in Governor O’Malley’s Healthy Smiles Tour, Maryland’s program that aims to educate the state’s children and their parents about maintaining oral health and finding a quality dental care service provider. Kool Smiles is dedicated to providing quality oral health care to children regardless of their parent's income, economic status or background and was established with the intention of delivering quality care to underserved populations. The efforts of Governor O’Malley show a step in the right direction as public service officials begin to take stock of the oral health of today’s youth. The Surgeon General has declared an oral health crisis among American children with tooth decay being the most common disease among our young population. With programs like Governor O’Malley’s, awareness of this growing problem is increased, both informing parents and giving children unconditional access to dental care and the oral health education that will help ensure a healthy mouth for a lifetime.

Governor O’Malley was driven to spearhead this initiative after the death of Deamonte Driver, a young man receiving Medicaid who suffered from a simple toothache. After his mother was unable to locate a dentist to see Deamonte, he died from serious complications associated with the toothache. Shocked by such a loss, Governor O’Malley has resolved to do everything in his power to prevent these easily avoidable tragedies. Currently, over 50 percent of 5- to 9-year-old children have or have had at least one cavity. That figure increases to 78 percent among 17 year olds. The main goal of the program is to make services available to Medicaid-eligible children throughout Maryland so that they are not refused routine, life-saving care.

Kool Smiles has opened five offices in Maryland to promote the initiative of Governor O’Malley. The Healthy Smiles Tour was commenced at Seat Pleasant Elementary School in Prince George’s County at an event in which Kool Smiles of District Heights provided free dental screenings to all Seat Pleasant students.