Our History
UALR Children International dedicated its new Future Smiles Dental Health Clinic at Wakefield Elementary on October 25, 2004. This clinic has been the project of the Little Rock School District, Children International, the United Way of Pulaski County, the Arkansas Department of Health, and other oral health partners including the University of Arkansas for Medical Science.
Congressman Vic Snyder toured the fully equipped clinic at the dedication ceremony and praised participants of the UALR Children International's Dental Health Action Team of health officials and members of the dental profession for working together to bring better oral health to Little Rock children.
Cheryl Chapman, director of UALR Children International, said the new clinic will allow members of the Dental Health Action Team to treat some of the tooth decay problems they spot through an ongoing dental screening program at the six UALR-CI schools. The targeted schools are: Bale, Chicot, Franklin, Stephens, Wakefield, and Wilson.
Dr. Lynn Mouden, director of the Office of Oral Health in the Arkansas Department of Health, said, "Because of the great partners, a committed staff, a wonderful facility provided by the Little Rock School District, and children with tremendous needs that we can address, the Arkansas Department of Health is proud to support this clinic with more than a quarter million dollars toward improving oral health."
The Little Rock School District is one of the partners for the Future Smiles Dental Clinic.
Sitting on a tooth, flossing with a shark, and reading books about teeth are not the typical activities a child does in the dentist office, unless, they are in the new Future Smiles Dental Clinic located at Wakefield Elementary.
The clinic will serve children who attend any LRSD school.
The Dental Health Action Team is made up of Share America of Children International, UAMS, Little Rock Public Schools, Arkansas Department of Health, United Way of Pulaski County, Delta Dental Plan of Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, Arkansas Dental Association, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Communications Etc., St. Vincent Health System, Arkansas Children's Hospital, and local dentist.
The Arkansas Department of Health has made the largest monetary contribution to the clinic with a donation of over a quarter of a million dollars. Delta Dental and United Way of Pulaski County have contributed to the future success of Future Smiles with monetary donations. All of the Future Smiles partners have contributed to the success of the clinic with monetary gifts and/or voluntarily contributing their time.
