Start a Smile Foundation

Introducing Fry Orthodontic Specialists, Start a Smile Foundation

Since 2009, Fry Orthodontic Specialists has been providing free braces to deserving young people through the Start a Smile Foundation, formerly known as Smile for a Lifetime-KC. Starting with 2 scholarships per quarter, we have grown and now awarding 80 scholarships per year! We are honored to have provided over $2,500,000 worth of smiles to deserving kids throughout Kansas City!

At Fry Orthodontics, we use the phrase: “Your Smile is Just the Start.” This tag line represents the countless opportunities a smile can provide someone, and we believe this is our professional and social mission as we evolve and grow as a business. The name Start a Smile derives from our tagline “your smile is just the start”. It is our core belief that a beautiful smile can truly change someone’s life by providing hope for a better future.

At Fry Orthodontics, we believe:

“Your Smile is Just the Start”.

This represents the countless opportunities that a smile can provide someone, and we believe that this is our professional and social mission as we evolve and grow as a business.

The Gift of Start a Smile Foundation

If you or someone you know, in the Kansas City area, could benefit from the gift of a smile, please fill out or encourage them to fill out the application. This is open to all surrounding Kansas City cities and towns.

A few notes about the application process:

Children ages 17 or younger are eligible to apply for a braces scholarship.
Letters of recommendation are needed. Please submit no more than two letters, no more than one page in length. Be sure that the letters are either typed or neatly written in black ink. The letters of recommendation should be written by a non-family member such as a school counselor, pastor, or neighbor.
Please submit clear, high-quality pictures of your teeth. As this is a need-based scholarship, we must be able to accurately assess your orthodontic need in order for consideration.
Once submitted, the application, pictures, and letters of recommendation become the sole property of the Start a Smile Foundation and will not be returned. Please keep copies of all items submitted for your records.
We ask that you be a resident of the Kansas City area.

Please return your completed application to:
Start a Smile Foundation
c/o Fry Orthodontic Specialists
11880 College Blvd., Ste. 201
Overland Park, KS 66210

Incomplete applications and applicants that do not meet the above requirements will not be voted upon by the Board of Directors. The Board shall meet quarterly to determine and distribute awards and award notifications.

Questions regarding the Start a Smile program? Email us or call 913-298-2734.

Download the Start A Smile Application