Kool Smiles
Encyclopedia
Kool Smiles
is a nationwide network of dental offices serving children and families in underserved communities. In 2011, Kool Smiles had over 100 offices located in 17 states nationwide. Kool Smiles positions itself as a General Dentist
that treats both children and adults. The company recruits for General Dentists, Pediatric Dentists
, Endodontists
and Oral Surgeons
.
Kool Smiles provides preventative care, diagnostic imaging and restorative care supported by electronic health records
. The company does not offer cosmetic or orthodontic care.
, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and TRICARE
.
Kool Smiles is a privately held company
with 1000+ employees reported in October, 2011 Kool Smiles contracts with NCDR, LLC which provides non-clinical services to all Kool Smiles dental practices including facilities, support staff and other business services. Kool Smiles is NCDR’s primary client.
Kool Smiles patients filed a lawsuit against the state of Georgia to keep Kool Smiles as their dental home after the company was eliminated from the WellCare and Peach State Medicaid networks without cause. The company remained part of the Amerigroup Medicaid network and is currently part of the Amerigroup
, WellCare, and Peach State networks in Dalton and Columbus, Georgia
.
is a nationwide network of dental offices serving children and families in underserved communities. In 2011, Kool Smiles had over 100 offices located in 17 states nationwide. Kool Smiles positions itself as a General Dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
that treats both children and adults. The company recruits for General Dentists, Pediatric Dentists
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry Pediatric dentistry Pediatric dentistry (formerly pedodontics (American English) or paedodontics (Commonwealth English) is the branch of dentistry dealing with childrenfrom birth through adolescence...
, Endodontists
Endodontics
Endodontics is one of the dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, and deals with the tooth pulp and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth...
and Oral Surgeons
Oral Surgery
Oral Surgery is a recognized international specialty in dentistry. It includes the diagnosis, surgical and related treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the head, mouth, teeth, gums, jaws and neck.It involves,...
.
Kool Smiles provides preventative care, diagnostic imaging and restorative care supported by electronic health records
Electronic Health Record
An electronic health record is an evolving concept defined as a systematic collection of electronic health information about individual patients or populations...
. The company does not offer cosmetic or orthodontic care.
Overview
Founded in 2002, Kool Smiles built its first office in Atlanta, GA. The mission is to provide quality dental care for children and families in underserved communities. Kool Smiles accepts all forms of insurance and payment including: employer based insurance, MedicaidMedicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and TRICARE
TRICARE
TRICARE, formerly known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services , is a health care program of the United States Department of Defense Military Health System. TRICARE provides civilian health benefits for military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents,...
.
Kool Smiles is a privately held company
Privately held company
A privately held company or close corporation is a business company owned either by non-governmental organizations or by a relatively small number of shareholders or company members which does not offer or trade its company stock to the general public on the stock market exchanges, but rather the...
with 1000+ employees reported in October, 2011 Kool Smiles contracts with NCDR, LLC which provides non-clinical services to all Kool Smiles dental practices including facilities, support staff and other business services. Kool Smiles is NCDR’s primary client.
Partnerships
Kool Smiles has partnered with the Gary Community Health Center and the East Chicago Community Health Center to provide dental care in their facilities. The company has also partnered with the Governor of Maryland, Martin O’Malley, on his “Healthy Smiles Tour” to improve access to dental care in the state.Legal
Kool Smiles Lawsuit: (August–September 2007)Kool Smiles patients filed a lawsuit against the state of Georgia to keep Kool Smiles as their dental home after the company was eliminated from the WellCare and Peach State Medicaid networks without cause. The company remained part of the Amerigroup Medicaid network and is currently part of the Amerigroup
Amerigroup
Amerigroup is a health insurance company headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is the largest publicly-traded company focused exclusively on meeting the needs of those enrolled in publicly-funded healthcare programs such as Medicaid and Medicare...
, WellCare, and Peach State networks in Dalton and Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
.
Further reading
- Connie Scott, Dalton. Making Dentistry Kid Friendly, Published 1 August 2009
- Dan Stockman. Fort Wayne: Where’s the protection, Published 4 August 2009.
- David Strange. Kool Smiles stands by its work with children in Fort Wayne. Published 9 August 2009.
- Natalie McGill. Governor announces statewide dental initiative. Published 10 Sept 2009.
- http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/public-private-partnership-brings-newest-kool-smiles-dental-office-to-northwest-indiana-96639514.html, Public-Private Partnership Brings Newest Kool Smiles Dental Office to Northwest Indiana, Retrieved 16 September 2011, Published 18 June 2010.
- Dave Nyczepir. Cardin praises oral health care improvements. Retrieved 12 Sepember 2011. Published 19 August 2011.
- Cardin visits Kool Smiles to promote expansion of oral health, Published 17 August 2011, Retrieved 15 September, 2011.
- Four ways to help your children achieve good dental health, Published 30, September 2011, Retrieved 18 October, 2011.
- Waco families without dental insurance get care, Published 02 November, 2011, Retrieved 03 November, 2011.