Two Rivers Public Health
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Lexington Community FoundationHelping to close the gap on inequitable access to dental care in an agricultural area
$0
raised by 0 people
$5,000 goal
LifeSmiles Dental Program
The LifeSmiles Dental Program is a free and voluntary initiative designed to promote positive interactions, provide essential dental education to children, and distribute toothbrush kits throughout schools and educational programs across our seven-county district.
About Two Rivers Public Health Department
Two Rivers Public Health Department (TRPHD) partners with community leaders, organizations, and the public to promote healthy lifestyles, provide preventive education, protect environmental health, and build safer, healthier communities for everyone in our district.
As Nebraska’s most populous rural public health district, TRPHD serves over 100,000 residents across 4,500 square miles. Notably, only the cities of Kearney, Holdrege, Minden, and Alma have fluoridated water, which makes preventive dental education even more vital in our region.
Through our LifeSmiles Dental Program, we reach children across the district with engaging lessons on dental hygiene, hands-on demonstrations, and free toothbrush kits.
Program Goals
Our mission is simple — Prevention, Education, and Empowerment.
We aim to help children build healthy habits and support parents and educators in promoting lifelong oral health.
In rural areas, access to dental care can be extremely limited. Within the TRPHD service area (Buffalo, Dawson, Franklin, Gosper, Harlan, Kearney, and Phelps Counties), the need is clear:
- 81% of rural children have dental decay by 3rd grade
- 53% of that decay goes untreated
- 40% have limited access to dental care due to little or no insurance coverage
Poor dental health affects more than just smiles — it impacts a child’s ability to focus in school, weakens the immune system, and can lead to long-term health issues.
The LifeSmiles Program partners with local schools, preschools, and Head Start programs to teach children about the importance of good oral care and provide each child with the tools they need — starting with their very own toothbrush kit.
Your Donation Makes a Difference
Every dollar donated directly supports the LifeSmiles Dental Program.
Here’s how your contribution helps:
- $5 = Provides a toothbrush kit for one child
- $10 = Covers educational materials and a toothbrush kit for one child
Together, we can build brighter smiles — and healthier futures — for children across central Nebraska.