2026 Smile Maker – Robert

We are honored to introduce one of our 2026 Smile Maker Award recipients, Robert.

One of the many things that captivated our team about Robert is his commitment to service. Since his freshman year, he has dedicated more than 100 hours to community service through school projects, community initiatives, and church-related events. In his essay, his love for his mother and siblings also stood out in a powerful and sincere way, reflecting the heart behind everything he does.

Robert will be a senior this coming year, with hopes of joining the military and long-term aspirations of becoming a police officer. Even at this early stage of life, Robert is already demonstrating that service is not just something he participates in—it is something that defines who he is becoming.

When Robert isn’t serving his community, he competes on his school’s football and powerlifting teams, continuing to show discipline, strength, and dedication in everything he takes on.

Robert’s orthodontic care will be performed by Haven Orthodontics.

100+

HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE Through school, community, and church- related projects

FAMILY-FOCUSED

Deep love and appreciation for his mom and siblings

FUTURE GOALS

Plans to join the military and become a police officer

STUDENT-ATHLETE

Proud member of the school's football and powerlifting teams

CORE VALUES

Service, dedication, leadership, and a heart for others

Robert's compassion, work ethic, and commitment to serving others make him a true

Smile Maker

We are honored to support him on his journey!

2026 Smile Maker – Winter

Winter 2026 Smile Maker

We are honored to introduce one of our 2026 Smile Maker Award recipients, Winter.

Winter’s exceptional character was affirmed by both Mrs. Meadows and Mrs. Trueblood, who each wrote heartfelt letters of recommendation on her behalf. While her essay candidly shared some of the personal challenges she has faced and the emotions that have accompanied them, what stood out even more was the profound impact she has on the people around her.

During our review process, those advocating for Winter became emotional as they spoke about her character, her influence, and why they believed she was so deserving of this award. When people are willing to stand up for you in rooms where you are not present, it speaks volumes about the kind of person you are. That is exactly the impression Winter left on everyone involved.

This fall, Winter will begin her senior year of high school. She plans to pursue a career in the medical field, a passion she discovered through her participation in the Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC) Health Sciences program. We are excited to see all that the future holds for her and are proud to recognize her as a 2026 Smile Maker Award recipient.

We are also grateful to the team at Haven Orthodontics, who will be providing Winter’s orthodontic treatment. Their generosity will help transform not only her smile but also the confidence that comes with it. We are excited to see all that the future holds for Winter and are proud to recognize her as one of our 2026 Smile Maker Award recipients.

2026 Smile Maker Quinn

Quinn 2026 Smile Maker

We are proud to introduce Quinn as one of our 2026 Smile Maker Award recipients.

Quinn’s outstanding character was enthusiastically supported by Mrs. Dyer and others who shared stories of the impact Quinn has made in her community. Among those stories was the creation of a free neighborhood library, as well as the friendships Quinn developed with neighbors who had immigrated from Poland. Through those relationships, Quinn spent time helping their daughters learn to speak English, demonstrating a heart for service and compassion beyond her years.

Of all the essays we received, Quinn’s stood out for its honesty and vulnerability. She beautifully captured the challenges of being a teenager today and reminded us that orthodontic care is about far more than appearance. For many young people, it is about building confidence, restoring self-esteem, and finding the courage to smile without fear of ridicule.

Quinn will be a sophomore this fall, and we are grateful that her smile transformation will be provided by Dr. DeHaan and the incredible team at DeHaan Orthodontics. We look forward to watching Quinn’s confidence continue to grow and are honored to welcome her as one of our 2026 Smile Maker Award recipients.

2024 Smile Maker

 

At The Happy Teeth Project, we are incredibly grateful for your support in welcoming our 2024 Smile Maker Winner, Alena.
Among many applicants, Alena’s submission stood out because she embodies the very reasons this organization was created. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing a “get to know you” piece about Alena, but first, we’d like to share what this project will involve.
Once again, we are partnering with Lazarus Orthodontics in Waterford, Michigan, and we’re thankful to have them as a partner for the fourth year in a row. When speaking with Dr. Lazarus, he mentioned that this case is one of the most challenging he has encountered in his career. It will be both a multi-step and multi-year process.
During Alena’s consultation, it was discovered that she has TMJ Disorder, which causes pain and dysfunction in her jaw joints and muscles, along with frequent headaches. In some cases, this condition may require surgery, but we’re hopeful that six months of treatment with a wood splint will allow the joint to realign. We are optimistic this approach will be successful and alleviate the pain she has endured for quite some time.
Before beginning this treatment, Alena will need oral surgery to have a tooth extracted. The six months of splint therapy will allow that area to heal properly, setting the stage for braces. Once braces are placed, it will be a two-step process. The bottom braces will be used alone for about six months, as her bottom teeth have significant curvature, before adding braces to the top teeth. After her braces are near completion, an implant will be needed to replace the tooth extracted earlier in the process.
As I’ve detailed, this is a particularly challenging project, and, as with any project of this magnitude, it comes with significant costs. We ask you to consider supporting The Happy Teeth Project with a donation. These donations make a real impact on the lives of these young people and their families.
Please visit our website or contact us directly for more information about how you can contribute and where your donation will go.

2023 Smile Maker

 

After much anticipation, we at The Happy Teeth Project are excited to announce our 2023 Smile Maker: Anna Joy!

Anna Joy’s application stood out due to the exceptional character highlighted in her recommendation letters and her compelling statement of need. Her dentist has shared that while she takes excellent care of her teeth, her dental structure and teeth displacement will continue to worsen if left untreated. In her statement, Anna Joy also mentioned the pain she experiences from her 12-year-old molars.

When she’s not focused on schoolwork as an 8th grader, Anna Joy enjoys spending time outdoors, playing basketball, and teasing her younger sister. She’s also a dedicated volunteer at her church, where she helps care for children ages 3 to 5.

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support Anna Joy and her family throughout this journey. We are confident that our work will help boost her confidence moving forward. Please join us in celebrating Anna Joy for her hard work and kind heart!

Stay tuned for more updates on the dental work that will be done in collaboration with our partner, Dr. John Lazarus, DDS, who will be performing Anna Joy’s treatment.

If you’d like to support this project and others like it, please visit our website or contact us directly for more information on how you can contribute and where your donation will be used.

 

2022 Smile Maker

 

After much anticipation, we are thrilled to announce our 2022 Smile Maker: Karis!

As mentioned in our previous post, Karis’s application was selected because of the outstanding character she demonstrated in her recommendation letters and personal essay. One powerful line from her essay that aligns perfectly with our vision at The Happy Teeth Project was, “Braces would improve my overall situation by boosting my confidence.” Karis is a kind-hearted, fun-loving young woman who enjoys playing volleyball for her school. She also dedicates her time to serving others through volunteer work at her church. And here’s a fun fact: Karis has never had a cavity in her life! Way to go, Karis!

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support Karis and help her outward smile reflect the inner joy she shares with everyone around her. Please join us in celebrating Karis for all of her hard work and her kind heart!

Stay tuned to meet the amazing local orthodontist, Dr. John Lazarus, DDS, who will be performing Karis’s dental work.

If you’d like to support this project and others like it, please visit our website or contact us directly for more information on how you can contribute and where your donation will be used.