Press Release – ATLANTA –– Leading dental health provider Kool Smiles today announced that, for the second time this year, it will award five $1,000 classroom grants to K-5 teachers who exceed expectations in their promotion of dental health and education in the classroom. As a new school year approaches, the grant is intended to support teachers and educators who go above and beyond in delivering quality education by providing additional funds for classroom supplies and other school needs.
Submissions for the My Kool Smiles Classroom Grant Program will be accepted online from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, 2018. Educators who would like to apply for the grant or members of the community who are interested in nominating an outstanding educator can find the application information and entry guidelines at www.mykoolsmiles.com/l/classroomgrants.
“Kool Smiles created the classroom grant program as a way of supporting teachers who passionately educate their students about the importance of starting good dental habits early in life,” said Dr. Dale Mayfield, Chief Dental Officer for Kool Smiles. “Teachers are a frontline offense in the quest to educate children early about the benefits of good dental health habits. Kool Smiles wants our outstanding educators in the community to know we appreciate their efforts in the classroom and join them in the mission to improve the dental health of America’s children.”
In order for an educator to be eligible, they must be actively teaching in a K-5 classroom at a public, private, charter, or approved home school program in the United States. Submissions should include either an example of a dental lesson plan or details about how healthy dental habits are being promoted in their classroom. Submissions may be formatted as a video, essay, or photo.
Applicants are advised to carefully review the official rules before applying. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of Kool Smiles and Benevis team members, and the five winners will be notified by email on September 12, 2018.
Kool Smiles’ latest K-5 Classroom Grant program follows an impactful giving program earlier this spring, in which Kool Smiles donated funds to exceptional teachers in El Paso, TX; Dalton, GA; Sheppard, TX; and, New Britain, CT. The five winners were recognized for their creative lessons that teach young students the importance of maintaining healthy oral hygiene habits and strong teeth.
The Kool Smiles classroom grant program is sponsored by the Benevis Foundation. For more information, please visit https://www.mykoolsmiles.com/l/classroomgrants.
About Kool Smiles
Kool Smiles is dedicated to creating a world of happy, healthy smiles. As a leading dental health provider, Kool Smiles’ mission is to improve lives by providing high quality dental care in a fun, compassionate environment. Kool Smiles dentists are proud to offer care to kids and adults with almost any insurance plan, including Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), Medicaid and Tricare. Kool Smiles also provides oral health education programs through partnerships with community schools and organizations. For more information, please visit www.mykoolsmiles.com.
About the Benevis Foundation
The Benevis Foundation is committed to improving dental care access and outcomes for underserved communities in the United States through research, education and outreach. The foundation sponsors ongoing research on the role of Medicaid dental providers in improving access to preventative care, early intervention, and dental health education among traditionally underserved pediatric populations, as well as research on the cost savings associated with improving access to dental care among these patient populations in both federal and state healthcare systems. Through these research efforts, the Benevis Foundation hopes to provide data that informs and strengthens public policy related to dental access and affordability. For more information, visit http://benevis.com/benevis-foundation/.
