Scholarships for free braces given to deserving youth by Carson City Orthodontics
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Thu, 08/23/2018 - 3:12pm
Dr. Melissa Jones of Carson City Orthodontics has given over 30 scholarships for free orthodontia work to deserving youth in Carson City since 2012. All she asks in return? For the recipient to perform community service hours as a “smile ambassador.”
Carson City Orthodontic’s mission is “to see everyone around us smile and feel good!”
Part of that is making sure that deserving children, who are members of our community and try to uphold that mission, are able to have the smile they want regardless of their family’s funds.
Dr. Jones decided to start the scholarship program before her practice had even opened; something that is unheard of in the medical community.
"I just wanted to pump life blood back into the community," said Dr. Jones. "It's my way of giving back."
So far, nearly 40 children and teens have received the scholarship since she opened in 2012. Three winners are announced twice a year, during the spring and fall.
Each applicant needs to have two referrals from non-family members, and they submit an explanation on why they want the scholarship and what they will do to give back to their own communities.
"Each one that wins the scholarship is asked to pay it forward," said Dr. Jones. "They volunteer in our community and give back, and the teens who have won in the past become role models for our newest smile ambassadors."
Smiling can brighten anyone's day, she said, and her smile ambassadors are asked to share their smile with the rest of the world.
Winners have volunteered with the Carson City Sheriff's Office, in their schools, and even in free babysitting for family members.
Dr. Jones is also asking for any volunteer opportunities community members may know about to be sent to her so she can pass along the information to her ambassadors.
"It's proven that when young people get involved in their communities through volunteering, they're more likely to continue being involved as adults," she said.
In addition, they have a focus on supporting teenagers in the community through community outreach, because they believe “that confident and kind teenagers will grow into fantastic leaders and build thriving communities.”
The scholarship criteria, which can be viewed here along with the application, is as follows:
- Age 11 - 17 with no remaining baby teeth
- Provide proof of combined family income of no more than 200% percent of poverty level
- No cavities can be present to begin orthodontic treatment. Scholarship winners must see their dentist prior to beginning braces (all orthodontic treatment is included in scholarship, but dental work like fillings and cleanings are not included in scholarship)
- Resident within 60 miles of Carson City and transportation available to make it to all appointments on time
- Pledge to perform 18 hours of community service during treatment as a Smile Ambassador helping others smile and feel good!
If you or someone you know has volunteer opportunities for smile ambassadors, please email Dr. Jones at Carson City Orthodontics at dr.jones@carsoncityortho.com
They are located at 3790 Highway 395 S. #406, close to Trader Joe's at Topsy Lane.
You can also find them on facebook or on their website here.
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