KarunaNews Story

Sitting in the dentist's chair can bring up many feelings. Still, students at IDEA Hope in Tampa are left smiling ear to ear, having received X-rays, a comprehensive exam, and a full cleaning. It’s all thanks to a partnership with Big Smiles, an in-school mobile dental program that accesses schools in underserved areas. The organization says no child is turned away due to an inability to pay. “If you don’t have a healthy mouth, you’re not going to have a healthy body overall,” said team leader Stephanie Kulig, a dental hygienist for Big Smiles. “I want every kid to be served, and so if they can leave here with a positive experience at the dentist, I know that I’m doing the right thing.”