Apply for Braces

Orthodontic Scholarship

Smile for a Lifetime is an international program located in the US and Canada that aims to provide orthodontic treatment to children between the ages of 8 and 18 who may not have the means to afford care. Our dedicated team of specialists generously donate their time and expertise to the Smile for a Lifetime program, with the goal of assisting underserved children and youth in their communities.

To begin the application process, there is a nominal $20 fee. Once the application has been reviewed and a participating orthodontist is assigned, a final payment of $480 will be charged. This fee covers all aspects of the treatment, and no additional charges will be incurred.

Locations

Smile for a Lifetime has orthodontic providers located across the United States and Canada. We actively recruit providers to join our team on a regular basis.

Program Overview and Application Process

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Currently not wearing braces or a retainer.
Applicants are ages 8 to 18 years old.
Have “good” dental hygiene practices.
Must be enrolled in school with a C average or above GPA.
Must have a social impediment or moderate/severe need for braces.
Family income of no more than 200% of the federal poverty level

APPROVAL PROCESS:

1. To apply for the Smile for a Lifetime program, all applicants must complete an online application on our website. The initial application fee is $20, which is non-refundable. Once your application is approved and an orthodontist is located, a final application fee of $480 will be due.

2. After submitting your application, you will have 30 days to provide all the necessary documentation. Failure to do so within the given time frame may result in your application being archived, requiring you to start the process over.

3. Once all the required documentation, including proof of income, a letter of recommendation, a current report card, a dental clearance form, a picture of the applicant's teeth, a student essay, and a complete application, is submitted, your application will be pre-qualified.

4. Please note that being pre-qualified does not guarantee a scholarship. Smile for a Lifetime will then begin the process of finding an orthodontist in your hometown.

There is no guarantees that an orthodontist will be located or that you will receive a scholarship. The application process is competitive and can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, as the number of scholarships accepted each year is limited by the availability of doctors. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee a scholarship.

Please complete the attached forms and return by email or fax:

DENTAL CLEARANCE – To be completed and returned by the child's dentist.
PICTURES - Closeup photos of teeth taken from your phone
PROOF OF INCOME - (Income Eligibility Guidelines listed under Appy for Braces icon above) Proof of income must be submitted in the form of a COMPLETE copy of the most recent year's federal tax return (to include ALL pages, schedules or statements, and child's name needs to show as a dependent.
CANADA - If in Canada, please submit a copy of the Notice of Assessment.
STUDENT ESSAY - The student essay is an important part of the approval process. Please let us know how receiving braces could change your life in a dramatic way (please use the attached form).
REPORT CARD - Please submit a recent report card showing a C average or above GPA, recent grades will prove enrollment in school.