×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Healthy Smiles, Healthy Futures for California Kids in Need

News

At 13 years old, Alfredo de la Cruz, had never been to the dentist until Saturday.

Alfredo and dozens of other children from Santa Maria, Calif. received free dental care this weekend as part of the Healthy Smiles program, coordinated by Direct Relief in collaboration with a number of other Santa Barbara County organizations supporting the effort.

“I’ve seen a lot of kids who have never been to the dentist before. It’s been a wonderful thing to be able to help them,” said first-time volunteer Amy Gisclon, a part-time faculty member with the Allan Hancock College dental assisting program.

and can lead to physical and psychological disabilities as well as significant morbidity in adulthood.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child have their first dental visit by age one, followed by a check-up every six months in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems.

However, many families cannot afford the cost of dental care, leaving many children like Alfredo without regular cleanings and check-ups.

The goal of Healthy Smiles is to screen, identify, treat, and educate these children to ensure that their current dental problems do not develop into more complex health conditions.

For this reason, Alfredo’s mother, Maria, said she was excited about the opportunity to make sure her son received care. “I don’t want my child to be suffering,” she said.

Though both she and her husband work nearly every day- getting up at 4 a.m. to pack broccoli and strawberries for a nearby agricultural producer – they cannot afford to pay for dental insurance. While her two younger daughters qualify for Denti-Cal, Alfredo does not because he was not born in the U.S.

“These are the children that fall through the cracks,” said Martha Angeles, who has directed Direct Relief’s Healthy Smiles program since it began in 1993 to address the needs of uninsured county children.  She said the clinic is held annually during February, National Children’s Dental Health Month.

The process begins when  nurses and family advocates at the local schools identify and screen children for need based on existing decay and lack of insurance. These advocates also help the students access follow up treatment after the clinic, if needed.

In addition to medical treatment, families receive bilingual oral health education when they arrive at the clinic, providing them the information they need to ensure proper care.

Each family also takes home a dental hygiene kit containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss, which were donated by many health care manufacturers to Direct Relief and packed by local volunteers.

Alfredo left Saturday’s clinic with more than a kit and new sealants and fillings. Now that he knows how important dental care is, he said he will make sure to brush his teeth every day from now on to maintain a healthy future.

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.