Dentist Travels To Improve Dental Health in Shreveport Communities
Dr. Jeremy Simms (L) with his team at Miles for Smiles. (Picture taken from Facebook)
A dentist makes it his mission to put a smile on every child’s face and to be a positive force in his community in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Dentist Dr. Jeremy Simms established a mobile dental care business called Miles for Smiles in Bossier parish, Caddo parish, and Webster parish to help kindergarten through 12th grade students learn about dental care. His motto, “going the extra mile for a smile,” touches on the work he and his team are doing in the communities by bringing joy to children’s faces, one clean smile at a time.
The mobile vehicle for Miles for Smiles. (Picture taken from Facebook)
"We identify an issue and we're there to remedy the issue [by] keeping students in school learning in a safe environment where they are," said Anneka Alexander, the education coordinator for Miles for Smiles.
After working in a mobile dental office once a week, Dr. Simms created the mobile service.
“I was overwhelmed by how many kids were impacted by the work I was doing at the office,” Dr. Simms said.
He created the business based on the dire need for underrepresented kids that don’t receive dental care. The mobile company also provides education to school staff and parents.
The state-of-the-art mobile dental unit allows access to on-site care, reducing the need for parents to check students out, ultimately reducing the number of times students are absent during the instructional day, at no cost for the school.
Each student gets cleanings, fillings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and comprehensive care. In addition, mobile dental care stocks up on enough equipment in the mobile facility to serve about 40 kids a day.
“We are more than just a dental office on wheels. We provide a ‘dental home‘ – delivering comprehensive care directly to children at their schools,” Dr. Simms said.
Miles for Smiles inspires the Shreveport community.
His impact on the community has caught the attention of many people in the dentistry field. As a result, the oral health company DentaQuest has named Dr. Simms as one of their Hero Day recipients. Each recipient receives a stipend and he put his towards his business.
According to DentaQuest’s site, Dr. Simms is the first African American dentist that many of these children have seen, and that makes him a powerful career role model.
Dr. Simms and his team are thrilled to be recognized nationally and will continue to impact the community and future generations.
To enroll in the program, click here.