Toothbrush Program
The Toothbrush Program allows Sadir Khan Grotto Members and their Ladies to interact with the public to introduce the Grottoes of North America and their charitable endeavors. Toothbrushes are distributed in a public area where the Members have an opportunity to talk and explain what the Sadir Khan Grotto is and what they do. Donations are gratefully accepted and Enchanted Lanterns ** are issued to the Sadir Khan Grotto for the funds deposited. The donations are placed into the charitable trust and used to help fund the Dental Care for Children with Special Needs program.
The Grottoes of North America Humanitarian Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization to help bring "Special Smiles" to children with special needs by providing much-needed dental care. The program helps cover the costs of dental treatment, including hospital and anesthesia costs when needed, for children with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy (and related neuromuscular disorders), Organ Transplant recipients or those with Mental Retardation.
By virtue of their special needs, many children cannot receive traditional dental services. Dentists with specialized training are needed to care for these children. Parents should contact their child's pediatrician for recommendations on dental care providers, who can address the unique requirements necessary for a child with complex medical needs. The Dental Care for Children with Special Needs (DCCSN) program is a unique partnership with qualified dentists throughout the United States and Canada.
So far the Humanitarian Foundation has helped thousands of children get the dental help that they desperately needed.
The Dental Care for Children with Special Needs Program has local Grotto representatives that are known as our "Dr of Smiles". These representatives are the liasion with the parents, dental offices and hospital and anesthesia offices when necessary, to see that all paperwork is provided and properly completed. They also file the application with the Humanitarian Foundation office where all cases are processed and they maintain contact with the parent and dentist.
To find a representative closest to you, go to www.scgrotto.com . When no representative is available in your area/state, those cases will be processed directly through the national office of the Humanitarian Foundation, Grottoes of North America. Please email the office directly with your questions or for forms needed to apply to the program: humanitarian.foundation@hfgrotto.org.
The local Sadir Khan Grotto is also very important to the dental program as we sponsor individual children into the program. We look forward to working with you to help your child maintain that beautiful smile.
The Humanitarian Foundation's mission statement is: "The Humanitarian Foundation believes that children with special needs should live as fully and as independently as possible. We are passionately committed to helping to alleviate the suffering and to improve the quality of life by providing dental care for those who otherwise may go without, one smile at a time."
** Enchanted Lantern; see History page for explanation or go to www.scgrotto.com for more detailed information.
