Community Volunteering

Marina Cousins

On August 27th 2019, Team Smile came to New Orleans to host an event that provides
oral care and education to children in underserved areas.

Team Smile started as a one-day event after a Kansas City area dentist was inspired to
action after reading several news articles wherein children had died as a result of
untreated tooth abscesses. The Kansas City Chiefs organization became involved and an
outreach event was created where dental volunteers provided free dental screening and
services to community children, in a fun, sports atmosphere. This one-day event turned
into an annual outreach program with the Chiefs, and then expanded to include more
cities and sports teams nationally.
On August 27th, Team Smile partnered with the New Orleans Saints to host an event at
the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. I volunteered my time as a health professional.
 TeamSmile was created with the mission of facilitating partnerships between
dental professionals, pro sports teams, and dental organizations. The goal of
these partnerships is to provide life-changing dental care and instruction to
children in their communities who otherwise would not have access to it.
TeamSmile believes education is key in making children aware of how important
dental care is to their over-all health both now and into their future.

We immerse ourselves, along with our pro-athletic partners, into the community.
The linkage between athletes, dental care providers, and the community in need
provides the inspiration and tools to make a difference in the total health and
education of thousands of the communities’ most underserved children.
- Team Smile.

2018

2018 event – we were hoping to treat more children and provide more free dental care
in 2019!
I volunteered as a health professional, checking the medical histories and allergy
information on parental consent forms, and highlighting this information on each child’s
Team Smile Dental Record for the dentists to reference as children moved through each
‘station’.
 The check-in station, getting ready for children to arrive.

Children with their completed dental cards (all parents signed photo releases)!
 The Saints mascot – Gumbo – getting a dental check-up!

The Saintsations! Volunteer t-shirt for the event.

Event report – goal accomplished! We treated more patients and provided more dental
care in 2019 than in 2018!
I really enjoyed this experience, and will be volunteering again next year. Team Smile
do an amazing job bringing dental care to underserved communities, and providing
basic interventions that potentially saves lives. Each dentist, assistant, and hygienist
there are giving their time and skills, and the corporate sponsors of the event provide all
the necessary equipment for them to use. Many different companies come together to
provide x-ray imaging equipment, dental equipment, dental supplies, technical support,
and education for free. Team Smile provided $92,000 of free dental care and education
to ~300 children at this one event. The fun experience helps remove any fear of going to
the dentist, while the basic services and education help the children until they are able
to find a dental home of their own, or Team Smile returns the following year. I think this
is a phenomenal organization providing a much-needed service, and I am proud to have
been able to be a part of that.
For more information, visit http://teamsmile.org