Youth-Led Initiative · Florida

Healthy Smiles Start with Prevention

We distribute dental hygiene kits to children and families in need across Florida — because every child deserves access to basic oral health care.

Child brushing teeth with bright smile
Why This Matters

The Reality of Dental Health Inequality

Dental disease is the most common chronic condition among children — yet it's largely preventable. Access to basic supplies and education can change everything.

1 in 5
children ages 5–11 have at least one untreated cavity
51M
school hours lost annually in the US due to dental pain
3×
more likely — low-income children face dental disease vs. peers
80%
of dental disease is preventable with basic hygiene and access to care
Our Approach

What We Do

United for Smiles is built around three core actions — distribution, education, and community partnership.

Distribute Resources

We provide dental hygiene resources to children and families who lack access to basic oral care supplies.

Educate Communities

We deliver education on oral hygiene habits, preventive care, and the long-term impact of dental health on overall wellbeing.

Partner Locally

We work with schools, churches, and community organizations to reach underserved families where they are.

Our Approach

How We Create Impact

01

We Educate

We promote awareness about the importance of dental health and preventive care within communities.

02

We Mobilize

We work with volunteers and partners to support outreach efforts and expand access to essential dental hygiene resources.

03

Communities Benefit

Families gain access to resources, knowledge, and support that help improve long-term oral health.

Join the Mission

Volunteer With Us

Help us drive dental health education and outreach across Florida. Every hour you give creates real impact.

Apply to Volunteer

Stay Connected

Get updates on our progress, upcoming events, and ways to help bring healthy smiles to more kids in Florida.

Who We Are

About & Our Mission

United for Smiles is a youth-led initiative working to make dental health accessible to every child and family — starting right here in Florida.

Child smiling at dentist
Our Story

Built on the Belief That Every Smile Matters

United for Smiles started with a simple observation: too many children go without the dental supplies they need to stay healthy. Something as basic as a toothbrush and toothpaste can prevent years of pain, missed school, and long-term health issues.

We believe that access to oral hygiene should not depend on income or zip code. By distributing kits and educating communities, we're working to close the gap in dental health access — one family at a time.

We're just getting started, and we're building this with intention — forming real partnerships, creating real impact, and growing responsibly.

Our Mission

Four Pillars of Our Work

Everything we do comes back to these core commitments.

Educate

We teach children and families about the importance of daily oral hygiene and preventive dental care.

Provide

We distribute dental hygiene kits to underserved children and families who lack access.

Prevent

We help stop dental disease before it starts, reducing pain, missed school days, and costly emergency care.

Equalize

We address the inequality in access to dental care by reaching the communities that need it most.

Why This Matters

The Numbers Tell the Story

Dental health inequality is a real and widespread issue — especially for children in underserved communities.

1 in 5
children ages 5–11 have untreated cavities
51M
school hours lost each year due to dental pain
3×
more dental disease in low-income communities
80%
of dental disease is entirely preventable
Meet the Founder

The Person Behind the Mission

Michael Tkachenko, Founder

Michael Tkachenko

Founder, United for Smiles

Michael is a high school student with a deep interest in healthcare and dentistry. He started United for Smiles after recognizing that many children in his community didn't have access to even the most basic dental care supplies.

His goal is simple: create real, tangible impact locally — and eventually expand that impact further.

"Small actions can create lasting change — sometimes it starts with something as simple as a smile."
Connect on LinkedIn

Ready to Make a Difference?

Help us bring healthy smiles to more children and families across Florida.

Join Us

Get Involved

There are meaningful ways to help bring healthy smiles to kids in Florida. Volunteer your time or partner your organization with us.

Volunteer With Us

Support outreach, events, and education

Help us drive dental health education and outreach across Florida communities. All skill levels are welcome — every hour you give creates real impact.

Apply to Volunteer

Partner With Us

Schools, organizations, and businesses

Schools, churches, community organizations, and businesses can help us reach more families. Whether through distribution, supply donations, or community outreach — we'd love to work with you.

Partner With Us
Get in Touch

Contact Us

Questions about volunteering, partnerships, or our work? We'd love to hear from you.

Send a Message

Contact Information

Location

Based in Florida
Serving communities across the state

A Note About Our Status

United for Smiles is a youth-led initiative currently in its early stages. We are not yet a registered nonprofit organization. All donations go directly to purchasing supplies for dental hygiene kits.

Give Back

Donate Supplies

We accept donations of dental hygiene items to create care kits for underserved children and families. Every item you give goes directly into a kit that reaches a family in need.

What's in Our Kits

Each kit is thoughtfully assembled with everything needed for daily preventative dental care.

Toothbrushes

Adult & child sizes

Toothpaste

Fluoride formula

Dental Floss

Standard roll

Floss Picks

Easy-use picks

Mouthwash

Alcohol-free, fluoride
Impact

Why Your Donation Matters

A simple hygiene kit isn't just supplies — it's preventative care for a child who might otherwise go without.

Prevents Disease

Daily brushing drastically reduces the risk of cavities and gum disease — conditions that are painful, costly, and entirely preventable.

Closes a Real Gap

Low-income children are 3× more likely to suffer from untreated dental disease. Access to basic hygiene tools is the first step in changing that.

Long-Term Impact

Preventative care in childhood leads to healthier teeth, fewer missed school days, and better overall health outcomes for life.

Direct Contribution

Every item donated goes directly into a complete hygiene kit for a family in need — no overhead, no delay.