Creating Smiles Beyond Our Office Walls
Our mission at Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics extends beyond providing exceptional dental care at our Erie, CO practice. We believe a healthy smile has the power to transform lives, boost confidence, and open doors of opportunity. This belief drives our commitment to community service and outreach programs that ensure quality dental care reaches those who need it most.
Dr. T.C. Hardy, Dr. Namrata Hardy, and Dr. Cierra Randall are passionate about sharing their specialized pediatric dentistry and orthodontics skills with underserved communities throughout Colorado. By partnering with established organizations and creating their own initiatives, our team works tirelessly to eliminate barriers to dental care and spread the gift of healthy, confident smiles.
Our giving back philosophy is simple yet profound: everyone deserves access to quality dental care, regardless of financial circumstances. We strive to create a ripple effect of positive change by treating immediate dental needs and educating families about proper oral hygiene and preventive care. When we help one child achieve a healthier smile, we’re impacting their future opportunities, self-confidence, and overall well-being.
Our Community Partnerships That Make a Difference
Smiles Change Lives
Smiles Change Lives stands at the forefront of our community involvement efforts. This incredible organization bridges the gap between families facing financial hardships and orthodontists willing to donate their expertise and services. By significantly reducing the cost of braces, Smiles Change Lives ensures children from all backgrounds can access orthodontic treatment that might otherwise be out of reach.
Dr. T.C. Hardy’s commitment to this cause earned him recognition as the Smiles Change Lives Orthodontic Provider of the Week in March 2014. This honor reflects his ongoing dedication to helping children achieve straighter teeth, improved oral health, and the priceless gift of confidence that comes with a beautiful smile. Each treatment this program provides represents a life-changing opportunity for a child to face the world with newfound self-assurance.
For families interested in learning more about this program or determining if they qualify, complete information is available at smileschangelives.org.
Project Smile
Project Smile addresses the critical dental and vision care needs among school-age children in our local communities. Through strategic partnerships with businesses, organizations, and caring individuals, Project Smile creates access points for essential healthcare services that might otherwise go unaddressed.
Dr. T.C. Hardy, Dr. Nam, and our dedicated staff regularly participate in Project Smile initiatives by conducting oral health screenings at underserved schools. These screenings identify children in immediate need of dental care and provide valuable educational opportunities to teach proper brushing techniques, healthy eating habits, and the importance of regular dental checkups.
The impact of these screenings extends far beyond dental health – they help identify barriers to learning and development that can be addressed through proper intervention. Learn more about Project Smile’s mission and how you can get involved at projectsmilefc.org.
Local School District Partnerships
Our team regularly visits schools throughout Erie and surrounding communities to provide dental education and free screenings. These visits create fun, interactive learning experiences that help children understand the importance of oral health from an early age. By making dental education engaging and accessible, we’re working to instill healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
During these visits, our team uses age-appropriate demonstrations, educational materials, and even our office mascot to capture children’s attention and make learning about dental health enjoyable. We provide take-home oral hygiene kits with toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and educational materials to reinforce the lessons learned and encourage family participation in oral health routines.
These school partnerships also include teacher resources and parent education components, creating a community-wide approach to improving children’s dental health outcomes. We believe empowering educators and parents with knowledge and resources can create sustainable, positive changes in children’s oral health habits.
How You Can Join Our Mission
Volunteer Opportunities
We’re constantly seeking new ways to expand our community impact, and we welcome suggestions from patients and community members. If you know of organizations, schools, or community events that could benefit from our dental expertise and resources, we’d love to hear from you! Your insights help us identify new opportunities to serve and create meaningful partnerships.
Our office organizes several volunteer initiatives throughout the year, including dental supply drives, educational workshops, and participation in community health fairs. These events provide excellent opportunities for our patients to join us in giving back. We believe working together can create a community where everyone has access to quality dental care and education.
For those interested in volunteering alongside our team or suggesting new community service opportunities, please contact our office at (720) 900-3119. Your ideas and participation help strengthen our community impact and reach more families in need.
Spreading Awareness
You can help support our mission simply by spreading the word about our community initiatives and the importance of early dental care. Share our social media posts, tell friends and family about our commitment to the community, or refer those in need to appropriate resources. Every conversation about dental health raises awareness and helps break down barriers to care.
Follow us on Facebook and check our blog regularly to stay updated on our latest community involvement activities and upcoming events. By sharing these updates with your network, you help us reach more families who might benefit from our services or partner programs. Your voice amplifies our message and extends our reach throughout the community.
Remember, sometimes the greatest contribution is simply identifying someone in need and connecting them with available resources. If you know a family struggling to access dental care for their children, please encourage them to contact our office to learn about possible assistance programs and affordable care options.
Supporting Our Partner Organizations
Consider donating directly to organizations like Smiles Change Lives and Project Smile. These nonprofits rely on community support to continue their vital work, and contributions of any size make a meaningful difference. Whether through financial donations, volunteer time, or in-kind contributions, your support helps extend the reach of these important programs.
Many of our partner organizations offer various ways to get involved, from one-time donations to ongoing volunteer opportunities. Visit their websites to learn about current needs and how your specific skills might benefit their mission. By supporting these organizations, you’re helping to create sustainable solutions to healthcare access issues in our community.
Businesses can also get involved through corporate sponsorships, employee volunteer programs, or donation matching initiatives. If you represent a local business interested in supporting pediatric dental health, we’d be happy to discuss partnership opportunities that align with your company’s community involvement goals.
The Life-Changing Impact of Dental Care
The work we do through our community service initiatives creates ripple effects that extend far beyond improved oral health. Children who receive proper dental care experience better overall health, improved school attendance and performance, enhanced self-confidence, and greater social development. By removing financial barriers to care, we’re helping to create a more equitable community where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
We’ve witnessed countless transformations – from shy children who wouldn’t smile because of dental concerns to confident young people proudly showing their healthy smiles. These transformations remind us daily why we’re committed to giving back and inspire us to continually expand our community impact.
The preventive education we provide helps families establish healthy routines that prevent future dental problems, saving them pain, time, and expense. This preventive approach creates long-term benefits for individual families and our broader healthcare system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Community Involvement
How can my child qualify for assistance through Smiles Change Lives?
Smiles Change Lives has specific eligibility requirements based on financial need and orthodontic necessity. Generally, children between 7 and 21 years of age with good oral hygiene, no unfilled cavities, and whose families meet income guidelines may qualify. The application process includes submitting financial documentation, dental records, and photos. Our office can help guide families through this process and determine if your child might be eligible. Keep in mind there may be a waiting period between application and treatment as the organization works to match children with participating orthodontists in their area.
What types of services does your team provide during school screenings?
During our school visits, we conduct basic dental screenings to identify potential issues that require follow-up care. These non-invasive examinations allow us to check for obvious decay, assess overall oral health, and identify children who might need immediate attention. We also provide age-appropriate dental education, including proper brushing and flossing techniques, nutritional guidance for healthy teeth, and information about preventing common dental problems. Each child receives oral hygiene supplies and educational materials to take home. Parents receive follow-up information about any concerns noted during the screening and resources for obtaining necessary care.
Does Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics offer payment assistance for families in need?
Yes, we understand quality dental care can be a financial challenge for many families. Beyond our community outreach programs, our practice offers flexible payment options and in-house membership plans for families without insurance, and it can help connect eligible families with assistance programs. We believe financial circumstances shouldn’t prevent children from receiving necessary dental care, and we work with each family individually to find solutions that make treatment accessible. Our team can discuss these options in detail during a consultation appointment.
How can local schools request a visit from your dental team?
School administrators, nurses, or parent-teacher organizations can contact our office at (720) 900-3119 to inquire about scheduling a dental education visit or screening event. We typically need at least 4-6 weeks’ notice to properly coordinate these events with our clinical schedule. We offer various program options ranging from classroom presentations to school-wide screening events, and we’re happy to customize our approach based on each school’s specific needs and population. There is no cost to schools for these educational visits, as they’re part of our commitment to community service.
What motivated Dr. Hardy and Dr. Nam to focus on community service?
Dr. T.C. Hardy and Dr. Nam have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of dental care, especially for children who might otherwise go without. Their specialized training in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics gives them unique skills to address children’s specific needs, and they view sharing these skills as both a professional responsibility and personal calling. They believe that building stronger communities begins with ensuring all children can develop healthy, confident smiles regardless of their financial circumstances. This philosophy deeply integrates into their practice culture and inspires their ongoing commitment to community service initiatives.
Contact Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Ready to learn more about our community involvement or discuss how we can help your family achieve healthier smiles? We’d love to hear from you!
📍 Visit Us: 3200 Village Vista Dr., Suite 110, Erie, CO 80516
📞 Call: (720) 900-3119
📩 Or Request an Appointment Online Today
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 am – 5 pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed