Sonja Lauren Foundation

Mission

The Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc. mission is to provide quality dental education and services to uninsured and underinsured children and young adults. The services provided will reduce the proportion of children and adolescents who have dental caries experience in their primary or permanent teeth and untreated dental decay.

The SLF Inc. comprehensive oral health program will increase the proportion of children and families who receive preventative services and use the oral health system on a routine basis so that families can lift their heads and proudly display a smile that is healthy and happy. It is our duty to ensure that eating, speaking, and smiling not be considered a privilege but a birthright.

Philosophy

Personal Experience

Oral health is greatly influenced by the habits and behaviors adopted in the early years. Children whose parents report that they rarely brush are more likely to have tooth decay. Ms. Lauren, author of The Covered Smile who has had the personal experience of poor oral health as a child knows that tooth brushing is only one strategy for improving the oral health of children.

Accessible

SLF Inc. staff members realize that in order to successfully improve and maintain oral health, it is essential to promote good nutrition, increase knowledge of good oral hygiene practices, and assist families in having access to preventative services such as routine teeth cleanings and fluoride treatments. With or without oral health insurance, children and their families who are not encouraged, supported, and educated to care for their teeth, will most likely suffer from the ill effects of poor dentition such as pain, low self-esteem, and non-productivity.

Professional

With these goals in mind, to achieve success, the SLF Inc. staff are sensitive to the needs of children, knowledgeable about proper oral hygiene practices and nutrition, and aware of the financial challenges children and their families are now facing. The Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc. is determined along with the help from dental professionals and committed financial donors to implement an effective oral health education program.

New Approach

This new approach means that health professionals and SLF Inc. staff members must and will work together to make sure that tooth-friendly habits and services are regular features of early childhood oral health care. This partnership has been developed and maintained by SLF Inc. staff/board/advisor members, volunteers, and dental professionals.

Shared Role

The SLF Inc. program is based on evidence that good oral health is critical for good overall health and in order to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, daily tooth brushing habits, healthy eating, and access to services are key. SLF Inc. recognizes that both staff and parents/care-givers are essential parts of the program and have a shared role in improving the health of every child.

A partnership with local school systems including community colleges, dental schools, and dental facilities to develop and maintain a tooth brushing program will be part of the SLF Inc. comprehensive program. The program incorporates good nutrition, and oral hygiene policies/practices into learning initiatives and curricula. By implementing a tooth-brushing program in the school system, we will be helping children form healthy habits and refine their tooth brushing technique. The SLF Inc. program will complement, not substitute, the guidance received by dental facilities.

Empowerment and Respect

The Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc. draws on the principles of role modeling, parent/care-giver involvement and social learning theories in order to harness young children's natural mode of learning. The program empowers all those involved to make positive and informed changes with regard to oral hygiene behaviors.

The Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc. also appreciates all children, recognizes that parents/care-givers and staff are unique and respects the diversity of each individual involved is respected. The SLF Inc. program will be used as a stimulus for encouraging and practicing positive oral hygiene behaviors in the homes of families we serve. The Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc. reinforces the belief that children's needs are best met when trusting relationships and partnerships are created among dental professionals, staff and families.

Flexibility

The Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc. understands that children and their families don't always understand things in the same way. The SLF Inc. comprehensive program has been developed as a flexible resource for anyone to customize in partnership with parents/care-givers and integrate into their every day activities. The SLF Inc. program provides resources and activities to help anyone bring oral hygiene development into daily context for children.

The Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc. resources, including the real-life story of the founding president and positive oral hygiene messages can be presented informally so children (and parents/care-givers) encounter them in the course of their day. For example, one could incorporate the Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc. story, ideas and resources during a family's reading or indoor play time. We want the program to suit every facility, office staff, parent/care-giver and most importantly every child. Together with parents/caregivers, everyone will be able to help children create a positive story of their own and maximize participation and enthusiasm for healthy teeth and happy smiles.

Vision

Achieve and maintain the best possible oral health for all clients.