QUICK EXIT

How free dental work changed the lives of vulnerable kids

26 November 2019

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At Act for Kids, we are humbled to have the support of many generous individuals. Some offer their help in the form of donations and others volunteer their time to help us raise vital funds. But, for Dr Adam Alford, he wanted to personally change kids’ lives by giving them a reason to smile!

This month, two very excited teenagers, who have sadly experienced significant trauma due to domestic and family violence, had their braces put on.

After recently meeting Act for Kids CEO Dr Neil Carrington, Dr Alford, an orthodontist working at BUPA Dental, was inspired by the work of Act for Kids and wanted to help in any way possible.

Dr Alford said he has been looking for a way to give back to the community, and hopes he can make a big difference to young lives.

“Who better to help than children who have had no control over their life outcomes,” he said.

“Being able to not only carry out the orthodontics, but also any of the general dental that these kids require, means I can help make them orally healthier as well.”

“I have been carrying out orthodontics and reconstructive dentistry for 20 years, and being able to make someone proud to smile is an amazing feeling.”

Gavin Nel, Act for Kids Practice Supervisor, said the teenagers’ mother has been struggling financially due to the difficulties of separation with her previous partner.

“Although she has great strengths in budgeting, paying for braces for her children has been far out of her reach,” he said.

“Her daughter, who is 14 years old, is incredibly excited to be able to smile with confidence. She has always been self-conscious of her smile, but understood they could not get braces due to their financial limitations.”

“The family are incredibly grateful to have been provided this support, free of charge.”

A huge thank you to Dr Adam Alford and BUPA Dental who have been instrumental in making this possible for kids who have suffered trauma.