Save a Smile®

Save a Smile was founded in 2003 by Cook Children's. Save a Smile is an innovative, nationally recognized, collaborative program dedicated to providing restorative and preventive dental care to children from low-income families through volunteer dentists. Children eligible for the program are pre-kindergarten to sixth grade at high risk for dental disease from schools pre-selected by the Save a Smile program and participating school districts.

Meet Lina, a Patient Journey ||Oral Health | Cook Children's

Program overview

Social services

Save a Smile employs a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who manages Community Health Workers. They work directly with students and their families to determine and assist with any social services needs in addition to their dental issues. Services provided include:

Transportation for dental appointments
Translation (English, Spanish, and other languages)
Medical referrals and appointments
Medication assistance
Food/nutrition access
Assistance with completing and submitting Medicaid / CHIP applications
Financial assistance through Gill Children’s Services or Masonic Children & Family Services of Texas
Child Protective Services reports

Dental services

The Save a Smile program is successful because of the wonderful dentists who volunteer their time and talents to help kids. These dentists are matched with qualifying patients and then they provide dental care in their offices, free of charge to the families.

If you are a dentist who would like to become part of Save a Smile, contact Ottis Goodwin via email ottis.goodwin@cookchildrens.org.

Volunteer dentist application

School nurses and staff

For additional information on Save a Smile, read What is Save a Smile?

I worried most about my child's oral health. Before Save a Smile's help, she was in pain and I had no way of getting her to see a dentist.

Family/caregiver interview

Contact us about our program

For questions or information on Save a Smile, contact ottis.goodwin@cookchildrens.org

Meet our team

Betsy Hillyard, Program Coordinator

I am a certified Child Life specialist with more than 30 years of experience. Helping children learn, play and grow inspires me and brings me joy. I enjoy using my talents to coordinate and support our team’s participation in school-based events, such as dental screenings, health fairs and career days. I love supporting children and families by providing oral health education and resources that can help lead everyone to better overall health. If you can’t find me, I’m probably at a baseball game!

Sonya Alavardo, Community Health Worker

I am a Community Health Worker with over 9 years of experience and a Registered Dental Assistant for 15 years. Working in the dental field, helping children and families achieve healthy smiles, inspired me to expand my impact by supporting overall community health. I am passionate about improving access to dental services and resources, and I love educating and empowering families to take charge of their health and live healthier, fuller lives.

Jesusa Campos, Community Health Worker

I have served as a certified Community Health Worker/Promotora for more than 12 years. Through the Save a Smile Dental Program, I get to do what I love most- supporting families and helping children get the care they need to stay healthy and thrive. My passion is connecting families with resources, answering questions, walking alongside them as they navigate their health journey. Building trusting relationships is at the heart of my work, and I want every family to feel supported every step of the way. One quote that inspires me is from Coretta Scott King: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. ”

Elizabeth Castanon, Community Health Worker

I am a dedicated Community Health Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting diverse communities. My passion is connecting families with vital resources and increasing access to dental care. Guided by Dr. Loretta Scott’s words, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone” I strive to make a meaningful difference in every life I touch.

Maria Hidalgo, Community Health Worker

I have been with the Save a Smile program for nearly two decades. I previously worked for Fort Worth Independent School District as a parent liaison and have been a community health worker for more than 20 years. I provide translation of dental/health/safety information and other health terminology to help reduce language barriers. I love helping our families and working out in the community to support improving children’s overall health.

Moraima Gomez, Community Health Worker

I am a highly motivated community health worker with more than six years of health care experience. I believe there is a greater power that guides us to carry out our mission as community health workers. I am very fortunate to be able to help children receive the benefits of oral health, which improves their well-being and growth.

Lourdes Ramos, Community Health Worker

As a Community Health worker, I have spent the last 17 years building relationships and supporting families in their journey toward better health. My true passion lies in oral health, and I find immense joy in helping families access the tools and information necessary to stay healthy. My commitment is to provide comprehensive support and connect families to resources that will be most beneficial to them.

Veronica Rodriguez, Community Health Worker

I am a certified Community Health Worker and have been so for the past four years. I have been with Save a Smile for two years now and my heart enjoys making a difference in the Save a Smile children’s lives. I have been in the case management field for the past twenty-four years now and helping families is my drive for success. Making a difference in family’s lives fills my heart with joy.

Access free resources

The Center for Community Health is committed to providing free education and access to our data.

Resources Access our data Become a partner