Making Chicagoland Smile
Dr. Booth is the founder of the Smile for a Lifetime of Southwest Chicagoland. We serve the less fortunate because everyone deserves a beautiful smile.
About Smile for a Lifetime
Smile for a Lifetime Foundation was established in 2008 and is a national non-profit, charitable organization committed to providing healthy, beautiful, straight smiles to people who do not have the opportunity to obtain orthodontic treatment. The organization’s mission is to create self-confidence, inspire hope and change the lives of the children they treat. Each year, this organization provides free orthodontic treatment to hundreds of Americans across the nation.
Dr. Booth is the founder of the Smiles for a Lifetime of Southwest Chicagoland. Locally, we have a Committee that reviews applications bi-annually and selects scholarship recipients to receive orthodontic care. You can determine if you or someone you love meet the requirements for the program or make a donation to the foundation.
Smile for a Lifetime of Southwest Chicagoland Committee
Our Committee Members are a diverse group of community leaders who share a passion for charitable service to citizens and community improvements.
- Dr. Joel Akroush , General Dentist
- Pastor Don Borling, All Saints Lutheran Church
- Dr. Jeffrey Cantor, Pediatric Dentist
- Dr. Sandy Doebert, Director of Alt. Funding at Lemont HS District 210
- Dr. Richard Facko, Pediatric Dentist
- Dr. Patricia Gannon, Pediatric Dentist
- Kathy Robinson, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Homer CCSD #33C
- Tim O'Keefe, Certified Public Accountant
- Lori Orban, Board Member, Lockport Township HS Foundation, President, District 92 Foundation for Educational Excellence
- Dr. Carlo Pagni, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Smile for a Lifetime Orthodontic Approval Process
Smile for a Lifetime (S4L) is an international program that provides orthodontic scholarships to children ages 11-18 who normally would not be able to afford treatment. S4L will not charge a fee for the orthodontic treatment – participating orthodontists donate their services, including the cost of one set of retainers once treatment is complete.
There's a $20, non-refundable application fee and, if you are approved for treatment, a $480 administrative fee, paid to the national office.
All applications need to be completed online. Click on “Apply today” and submit your application. Once your application is received and all needed material is submitted, the S4L national office will contact you within 30 days.
Qualifications
Scholarships are chosen by a local screening committee and the process is competitive. Scholarships are limited and based on financial need, orthodontic need, and a complete and accurate application. Successful applicants will be between the ages of 11 and 24 and have:
- Family income of no more than (200%) of the federal poverty level.
- A functional and/or aesthetic need for braces.
- Enrollment in good standing in school.
- A positive attitude.
- Ability to attend regular orthodontic appointments every 6-10 weeks and follow your treatment plan set by the orthodontist.
- A positive letter of recommendation from one community leader and/or teacher.
- Good dental hygiene practices and have had a dental check-up in the past 6 months (or be willing to schedule a dental check-up and cleaning after an orthodontic exam)
Want to Learn More?
To learn more, please see this brochure and visit the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation website.
