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SDDF : Sunshyne Smiles

Learn more about Sunshyne Smiles - Download Brochure

The Sunshyne Smiles Program is a statewide program that helps provide orthodontic treatment to deserving South Dakota children who may not otherwise receive care. Children are accepted to the program through a referral from a general dentist. Eligibility is determined based on the severity of the child's orthodontic needs and their family's financial situation.

The seed money for the program was provided by: Delta Dental Philanthropic Fund; the South Dakota Chapter of The Order of the Eastern Star; and Dr. Mel Thaler of Sioux Falls. Funds continue to be raised from a wide array of donors throughout South Dakota.

A major portion of the cost of each orthodontic case is contributed by participating South Dakota

   Sunshyne Smiles

orthodontists. Participating families contribute approximately $25 per month to the program toward the cost of their child's orthodontic treatment over the course of 36 months ($900 total). The program assumes the difference ($2,400) between the family's contribution and the amount committed to the orthodontist, which is a total of $3,300 per case.

The program currently funds the cost of treatment from the following sources:

  1. individual contributions;

  2. fund raising events;

  3. sponsorships;

  4. grants; and,

  5. monthly family contributions.

The program's goal is to assist 25 South Dakota children/families annually in providing needed orthodontic care.

Contribute to the Sunshyne Smiles Program.

Print an application for the Program.

News Items

2010 Legislative Session in Final Week

The SDDA's legislation to preclude insurance companies from dictating maximum allowable charges for non-covered services has cleared the Senate and the House and is on its way to the Governor's desk.
While there is no overt action to reduce funding for the Adult Dental Medicaid Program, on-going efforts to cut spending - in order to balance the State budget - require us to keep a watchful eye on the Program.  Adult Dental is the only optional program within the Medicaid Program. We continue to closely monitor the budget process closely and it appears, at this time, that the Adult Medicaid Program will not be cut.

Follow Legislative happenings by using our online grassroots advocacy system. All members can access updated information on  legislation affecting dentistry through the SDDA's web site. Members should go to the Advocacy page on the web site (click here) to access the online system. Once in the system, members can peruse a list of bills the SDDA is following, track the legislation as it works its way through the process and read background information on the legislation. The system will also allow members to view how their Legislators voted on our issues. The system is password protected - members should use SDDA as the user name and their ADA number as the password.