Give a Smile Today
Recently a mom came into our Commerce City clinic for her son’s dental appointment. While in the waiting room with her two-year-old baby, she began to tell her story to Bianca Naranjo, KIND’s Clinic Coordinator.
The mom talked about the struggles she’s been having lately with providing for two children amid the rising cost-of-living. Bianca asked her if she knew about the Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County, a family resource which is located in our building…just a few flights down from KIND’s clinic. She didn’t. Without hesitation, Bianca told the mom she should go right away and check it out. But her toddler was happily occupied with toys in the clinic. Leave the baby, Bianca insisted, I’ll watch her.
When the mom returned, there was Bianca sitting crisscross-applesauce on the waiting room floor with the toddler, playing and laughing.
Leave the baby, Bianca insisted, I'll watch her.
This is not unusual for Bianca. She wants our patients to feel at home at KIND, as she once did. Bianca was a patient at KIND as a child. Now as a young adult, Bianca is beginning a career in public health.
Bianca’s story is integral to the bigger work at KIND. Her current role and future career pathway are a direct result of our Promotora model: Leveraging community members to serve as liaisons between their community and health professionals.
In addition to the Promotora program, we have made great strides toward all our missional goals in 2023:
Commitment to partnership in & by the community we serve. Held our first ever community event, SmileFest, which connected us in joyful celebration with our patient community!
Extended Hours in Clinics. Continued to be available to our patient families by extending evening hours in our oral health clinics and adding Saturday appointments at C4 clinic!
Increased Staff for Chopper Topper. Our mobile, in-school sealant program continues its decade-long success with over 100 schools on the schedule for 2023-24 school year and 30 schools on a waitlist.
Rising costs across the board have placed oral healthcare on the “wish list” for many Colorado communities.
Now, more than ever, your continued partnership is critical to advancing the impact of the missional goals at Kids In Need of Dentistry. Our small team needs your help to achieve our big goals in 2024.
As a direct service nonprofit, KIND has the opportunity to get children pain-free and on their journey to healthy mouths.
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© 2022 Kids in Need of Dentistry 
