about us

The Virginia Brown Community Orthodontic Partnership was established in 1997 as a community-based orthodontic program to help children from low-income families, whose self-esteem was impacted by having crooked teeth, receive orthodontic treatment.  Now known as Smiles Change Lives (SCL), it has grown into a national organization with close to 700 orthodontists participating in the program.  To date, over 2,400 children nationwide have received life-changing orthodontic treatment through SCL.   

This is due to SCL's unique model, which matches children from low-income families, who need orthodontic treatment, with caring orthodontists willing to provide such treatment. Each family must agreeto abide by the program’s rules and contribute a set amount to SCL to be approved for the program. SCL uses these funds to recruit more doctors willing to treat more children.  In this way, each family truly "pays it forward" - by helping their own child, they are making it possible for the next child to be treated as well.  Since its inception, more than 99% of the children approved for SCL have successfully completed treatment.


2012 Gratitude Report                 2011 Gratitude Report         
            
      


Form 990-2011