Team Smile Kansas City, MO
- List the Community Partner / Organization you chose Team Smile
a. Provide a brief summary of experiences volunteers can have with the
organization. When working with this organization there are many
positions from checking people in, educating the children, working as a
dental assistant or hygienist, etc. Each position is unique to that person
and plays a big role of helping these children enjoy themselves. As
volunteers it’s a rewarding experience to get to help children and
brighten their day and smiles. - Please write a description of the Community Partner(s) by answering these questions:
a. What is their purpose / mission? The mission of Team Smile is to
provide children in need with a life-changing dental experience through
the power of sports.
b. What services does the partner provide? They provide preventive oral
care information, dental treatment, screening, x-rays, and along with
many activities for the kids such music, games, face paintings, and
appearances from sport teams.
c. What needs of the community do they address? They address children
who have lower socioeconomic status, limited access to oral healthcare,
qualify for the Federal Free and part of the Reduced Lunch Program.
These children may not have access to dental services so the goal is to
help those in need.
d. Why is this organization important to the community? This
organization is important to the community because a lot of kids may
not know the importance of oral care or have insurance to go to a
dentist but this program helps children like this.
e. Find one article / video about the organization and the work they are
doing in the community. https://youtu.be/fZeEmwl9_vI - After reflecting on the organization’s goals and mission, have your values, opinions, and/or beliefs about the importance of health changed or grown? Be specific. My values are still similar but they have grown after reading more about the organizations history and why they do this. As stated on their website, areas where economic hardship is at its highest, oral health care is not seen as a priority in the spectrum of preventative health care needs. People don’t really think much of it but dental care is important for a child. So seeing this organization give back to the community giving children a fun time while also helping them with their teeth really makes me happy and encourages me to do the same in my community.
- Thinking about the community partner:
a. How do these services relate to your intended career field? This service relates to my intended career field as it focuses on helping children’s smile by providing a good dental experience. I hope to be in the dental field in the future so this volunteering organization can help me get more experience in my field while also working with children which is another passion of mine.
b. What Degree Program (other than your current major) could it relate
to? This could also relate to nursing somewhat. A career you could
benefit from this is a Pediatrician. They are medical doctors who
manage the physical, behavioral, and mental care for children which is
similar to what you are doing but instead some of the volunteering
positions specialize with children’s teeth. The main experience is
helping and caring for children which is an important job for a
pediatrician.
c. Would you choose to pursue that major as your parallel major? I
always considered becoming a pediatrician when I was younger
because I love kids and my main goal is to help and care for them, but I
do not think that career is for me.
d. Why or why not? This is because I don’t see myself in the nursing field
at all. I am not too good with blood or any of that sort. I don’t mind
bleeding gums or such but if I see a child really hurt I dont think I could handle that