Heart of the Matter is highlighting the 'helpers' in our community.
LevelUp Kids helps Kansas City children get the health care they need to thrive
The future of our children is shaped by the opportunities we provide them, and ensuring access to essential health care services is crucial. For too many families in our community, especially those with low incomes, barriers to basic health services can prevent children from reaching their full potential. This is where LevelUp Kids, Inc. steps in, bridging the gap and creating a foundation for success in both school and life. LevelUp Kids, Inc., formerly known as Miles of Smiles, has been a beacon of hope for thousands of children since its inception in 2002. The organization was born out of Vision North 2000, a study that highlighted a critical gap in dental care services for children in Kansas City’s Northland area. At that time, an alarming 15,000 children lacked access to dental care. LevelUp Kids was established with a clear mission: to provide free, accessible dental care to those who needed it most. What began as a response to a community need has grown into a vital resource for families across the region. With a mobile and flexible approach, LevelUp Kids has served as the dental home for over 30,000 low-income children. Each year, its dedicated dental teams visit more than 45 schools and community sites, setting up temporary dental offices in familiar and accessible locations. These pop-up clinics ensure that comprehensive dental care is provided at no cost to the families, right where children spend a significant portion of their day — at school.
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article290922754.html#storylink=cpy
Looking Back and Looking Ahead: 20 Years of LevelUp Kids
At the end of 2021, LevelUp Kids celebrated our 20th year as a non-profit organization in the Kansas City area. Over the last 20 years, we’ve seen countless patients in our attempts to make a difference in the lives of children of low-income families.
LevelUp Kids Featured in Healthy Kansas City Magazine
LevelUp Kids is honored and excited to have been featured in the January and February 2022 issue of Healthy Kansas City. We encourage you to learn more about LevelUp Kids and the programs and services offered to low-income students of Clay and Platte Counties by reading this article.
Thoughts from LevelUp Kids this Holiday Season
The Link Between Alzheimer’s and Oral Health
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and LevelUp Kids wants to do our part to make sure you know the risk factors your oral health could play in an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Believe it or not, there have been links between bad oral health and your chances of getting Alzheimer’s in the future. Learn more today.