Tooth decay disease is one of the few preventable health problems today, yet dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease and continues to be a significant health problem.

For the children of parents with insurance or financial resources there are dental offices; for families living at or below poverty level, social service programs are available. But, for 1.8 million children of working poor families in Los Angeles County who fall between these other population groups, there is very limited access to dental care The Children’s Dental Center of Greater Los Angeles, a nonprofit dental corporation located in Inglewood, California is making a difference for the children who have fallen between the cracks – the children of the working poor who have no other sources for compensated care – by providing them access to quality multidisciplinary dentalcare.

The Center (a.k.a. The Smile Store or The Shannon Kelly Toothfairy Cottage) emphasizes aggressive preventive dental practices as well as educational programs for parent and child. The goal at The Center is to improve the oral health of children and the community through comprehensive oral health programs and services that promote positive health behaviors and treat the immediate oral health care needs of children throughout Southern California.