For many parents and guardians of young children in distressed Appalachian communities, proper dental care is an afterthought, if thought of at all.

The result is not surprising, as children in Appalachia experience high rates of dental cavities compared to children in other parts of the country and have higher percentages of decayed, missing, or filled permanent teeth.

According to a 2024 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), untreated cavities affect 18% of children aged 2–5 in low-income households, compared to only 7% in higher-income groups.

That’s why this year, Americans Helping Americans® is working to ship 3,000 “Mighty Molars” dental kits to our partners in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and elsewhere to ensure children have the necessary “tools for teeth” to prevent cavities and improve their oral health. Each kit contains a large tube of toothpaste, several toothbrushes, dental floss, and even a 2-minute hourglass timer.

Big Creek People in Action – McDowell County, West Virginia

In June, Americans Helping Americans® delivered 1,500 dental kits to our partners Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA) in McDowell County, West Virginia; Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies (AMOS) in Jefferson City, Tennessee; and the Labor of Love Mission (LOLM) in Tazewell County, Virginia.

“When families struggle to pay their normal monthly bills, they don’t have the money left to buy their children even a toothbrush and toothpaste,” BCPIA Executive Director Dyanne Spriggs told us.

“Many of their needs—such as dental hygiene items—would be unmet if we didn’t partner with Americans Helping Americans®, which is dedicated to helping those in need.”

On Thursday, June 19, Americans Helping Americans® Warehouse Manager Dave Frank distributed dental kits to eight children in BCPIA’s summer camp/afterschool program. A few of the children, upon realizing that the timers came in a variety of colors, requested to exchange theirs for their favorite color.

“Thank you, Americans Helping Americans®! We love to brush our teeth!” they exclaimed. Several of them brushed their teeth right then and there with their brand-new toothbrushes.

 

Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies – Jefferson City, Tennessee

In Jefferson City on June 20, dental kits were distributed to kids during our summer feeding program, along with bags of food—enough to keep them from going hungry over the weekend. The program is operated by Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies (AMOS), a longtime partner of Americans Helping Americans®, which provides vital services including home repair, support for domestic violence survivors, and family food distributions. That Friday, AMOS volunteers prepared and handed out food bags to pre-registered families and personally delivered remaining bags—and dental kits—to those who couldn’t attend. One teenage boy, who had forgotten to pick up his bag, was grateful to receive a personal delivery and promised not to miss the next one.

When asked why AMOS had only requested 300 dental kits this year—compared to 600 sent to other partners—Executive Director Jean-Ann Washam explained, “We’re so grateful for the support AHA provides. We try to be mindful of what we request, even though we could certainly use more.”

Labor of Love Mission – Tazewell County, Virginia

And on June 21, LOLM Director Rene’ Steele posted a notice on the group’s Facebook page that a free dental kit distribution would be taking place that day between 10 a.m. and noon for “anyone from anywhere.”

That morning, cars were lined up outside LOLM’s headquarters with parents, grandparents, and kids eager to receive their Mighty Molars dental kits as Rene’ handed them through their passenger door windows.

“The goal is to take a small step in helping hundreds of individuals have healthier teeth, fresher breath, and overall improved health,” commented Rene’. “Small steps by many will add up to healthier individuals and beautiful, healthy humans with wonderful smiles.”

Among those picking up dental kits was Christine, who lives in a household with two disabled adults and is friends with Rene’ and supportive of her mission.

“When you see the lines that form, you know how many people are in need,” said Christine. “She does amazing work. I think it’s a wonderful service.”