The Smiles for Life campaign, now in its 29th year, provides patients with an opportunity to whiten their teeth while supporting children's charities. Since its inception in 1998, the initiative has raised more than $51 million, according to a news release. The campaign runs from March 1 to June 30, 2026, and is organized by The Crown Council, a group of leading dentists worldwide.
Patients who schedule a teeth whitening treatment at a participating Crown Council dentist office during the campaign period, or a teeth straightening treatment at any time, can contribute to the effort. The dentist donates their time and expertise, while Ultradent Products, Inc., maker of Opalescence tooth whitening systems, donates 100 percent of the whitening materials. As a result, the entire cost of each whitening procedure goes directly to the Smiles for Life Foundation. Fifty percent of the proceeds support seriously ill, disabled, and underprivileged children globally, while the remaining 50 percent stays in the local community, with each dentist selecting their beneficiary charity.
For teeth straightening, Smiles for Life partners with Tréz clear aligners, and a portion of each treatment cost is donated to the foundation. The campaign also supports the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation, which funds Child Life Zones in children's hospitals across the United States.
“We are proud to offer this unique opportunity to do good simply by having teeth whitened or straightened,” said Greg Anderson, director of the Crown Council. “The Crown Council is grateful to our dentists, patients and corporate sponsors, who together have made the Smiles for Life Campaign a tremendous success. Through supporting local and global charities, we have increased access to dental care and improved health and wellness around the world.”
Since its launch, Smiles for Life dentists have supported more than 600 local children's charities. The foundation also funds oral health and other programs for economically disadvantaged children in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Nepal, Bolivia, and Guatemala. For more information, visit https://smilesforlife.org/. To find a participating dentist, click here.
