Salt Lake City, UT – The Smiles for Life campaign has launched its 29th annual initiative, running from March 1 to June 30, 2026, offering patients a chance to enhance their smiles while supporting children's health charities. Since its inception in 1998, the campaign has raised more than $51 million, making it dentistry's most successful charity, according to the Crown Council, the group of leading dentists that oversees the program.
Patients who schedule a teeth whitening treatment at a participating Crown Council dentist office during the campaign period, or a teeth straightening treatment at any time, contribute to the cause. The dentist donates their time and expertise, while Ultradent Products, Inc., maker of Opalescence tooth whitening systems, provides 100% of the whitening materials. As a result, the entire cost of each whitening goes directly to the Smiles for Life Foundation. Half of the proceeds support seriously ill, disabled, and underprivileged children worldwide, and the other half stays in the local community, with the dentist selecting a beneficiary charity of choice.
For those seeking straighter smiles, the campaign partners with Tréz clear aligners. A portion of the cost for each Tréz treatment is donated to the Smiles for Life Foundation.
“We are proud to offer this unique opportunity to do good simply by having teeth whitened or straightened,” said Greg Anderson, director of the Crown Council. “The Crown Council is grateful to our dentists, patients and corporate sponsors, who together have made the Smiles for Life Campaign a tremendous success. Through supporting local and global charities, we have increased access to dental care and improved health and wellness around the world.”
Since its start, Smiles for Life dentists have supported more than 600 local children's charities. The foundation also supports national and international oral health programs for economically disadvantaged children in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Nepal, Bolivia, and Guatemala. Additionally, Smiles for Life maintains a long-standing partnership with the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation, which supports Child Life Zones in children's hospitals across the United States.
For more information on the campaign, visit https://smilesforlife.org/. To locate a Crown Council dentist in your area, click here.
