Caring4Community History

Giving Back to the MS Coast

At South Mississippi Smiles, we have a clearly stated mission. We believe all children deserve access to high quality dental care in a fun and upbeat environment, regardless of their family income.

This mission is weaved throughout our business and guides decision-making daily. This mission is more than a sign on the wall, it’s part of our pledge to step out of our practice and make connections in our community. We bring our mission to life in our community through our Caring4Community program.

Twice annually, our Caring4Community campaign offers nonprofit organizations and schools a chance to win money to support their programs as well as spread awareness of their mission and financial needs.

Our Caring4Community recipients have included Dynamic Enrichment Academy, Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, HOPE Academy, Central Elementary, Elijah’s Closet, Brandon’s Place, and the Traintastic Museum. Since the development of this program in 2022, we’ve given $16,000 in donations to the winning schools and nonprofit organizations.

Beyond the Contest

But, this isn’t all. Caring4Community is more than this single campaign.

Caring4Community is the donations we make to schools and family organizations all year long, the families we sponsor over the holidays, the students that benefit from our mobile dentistry program, the toothbrushes and dental hygiene supplies we donate, the volunteerism of our doctors and team, the free and reduced-cost dentistry we provide, and so much more. It’s being a practice that cares for our community while caring for our patients.

Throughout each Caring4Community effort, big or small, our goal is to thread stronger relationships and create positive change in the communities we serve.

Winner Spotlight

Charity Profile:

Focus: Community Education Enrichment
Mission: To enrich the community in a collaborative space for the betterment of mind and body
Activities: Fine Arts, Culinary Arts, Life Skills, STEM, Health & Fitness, & Language programs, which are continuously evolving based on community needs and feedback
Featuring a 10,000 sq ft facility, The DEN gives people of all ages a place to gather, share ideas, and learn from one another
Awarded $3,500 for their 1st place finish in Caring4Community Spring 2022!

For More Information:

Previous Winners

Elijah's Closet

Committed to helping families with children in foster care and families with children susceptible of going into foster care.

Lynn Meadows Discovery Center

Dedicated to inspiring children, families and communities through the arts, interactive educational experiences and exploration.

HOPE Academy

Hope Academy is the only truly independent Pre-K through 8 school on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Extraordinary Efforts

Mobile Dentistry

Each year, our mobile dentistry program provides dental care to hundreds of children, many without insurance seen at no cost. Countless elementary school classrooms, community organizations, and early learning centers look to us to provide resources to their families and staff, and to help our youngest community members learn the importance of keeping their teeth healthy in a fun way.

In The Community

Our compassionate staff seeks opportunities to come together to support the vulnerable populations in our community, such as donating Thanksgiving dinner supplies to Feed My Sheep or creating dental kits to stock the hygiene closets of area elementary schools.

Local Partnerships

South Mississippi Smiles is a proud sponsor of the Junior Auxiliary Gala, with money used to purchase school supplies, clothing, and meals for children in need and a proud supporter of the Ocean Springs Football Booster Club, supporting access to local athletics.