Smiles, giggles, laughs at Let’s Smile fundraiser

There will be smiles, giggles and laughs galore on Saturday, Nov. 22, as Let’s Smile, a non-profit organization that provides clinical preventative dental services to low-income families, hosts its seventh annual stand-up comedy show at Mineral Springs Brewery in Owatonna.

Headlining this year’s show will be Trevor Anderson, a Minneapolis comedian celebrated for his witty, clean, observational humor and lively stage presence. His debut album, “Stay at Home Dude,” and appearances at top comedy festivals showcase his unique, crowd-pleasing style.

Opening act for the evening is Grant Winkels, a Minneapolis-based comedian, podcaster and writer known for hosting the “We Cool?” podcast and producing major shows like the 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival.

Let’s Smile was founded in 2013 by Holly Jorgensen, executive director and collaborative Registered Dental Hygienist. The nonprofit is headquartered in Owatonna and has provided dental services to low-income children and teens in southeast Minnesota, including Steele, Dodge, and Olmsted counties, serving 39 schools at 27 physical sites.

Preventative visits include screening, cleaning, fluoride treatment and oral hygiene instructions. Follow-up care can be done at the Let’s Smile office located in the Community Pathways building in Owatonna. Of those seen, 37% are identified for follow-up dental treatment.

Let’s Smile serves 17 schools at 14 sites in Steele County, including Blooming Prairie, Medford, NRHEG and Owatonna. They go to the Zumbro Education District building in Kasson, as well as serving three schools at one site in Byron. They also serve 13 schools at nine sites in Waseca County and four schools at four sites in Le Sueur and Rice counties.

Jorgensen said that 63% of the families served are on Medicaid and 37% have no insurance. There is never any charge to the families for dental services performed, Jorgensen said.

The education component of Let’s Smile is handled by Jorgensen and the Smile Fairies who promote and educate the students on the importance of oral health.

The staff includes dental hygienists, an assistant, office manager and a volunteer dentist.

“I’m so incredibly grateful for our local dental community,” Jorgensen said. Dental offices support them and want to help, she said.

In 2011, she said, a legislative change dropped Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental care, leaving providers in a situation where the reimbursement received was not enough for them to be able to sustain their practice.

Saturday’s comedy show begins with a social hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by the comedians at 7:30 p.m.

This year, tickets can be purchased online via Eventbrite. For those unable to make it in person, a streaming option is available.

Cost is $45 per ticket for both the live and streaming options. There will also be a live online auction, with items from lots of local businesses. There are only 135 seats available, she said, because of the size of the venue.

Tickets include one free pour, and food will be available for purchase from Nozy’s Grill Food truck.

Jorgensen said the event always includes two “clean” comedians.

“It’s all about the kids,” she said.

Sponsors for the evening include Olmsted Medical Center, Farmers Union Agency, Main Street Dental Clinics, Straight River Family Dental, Keen Bank, Profinium Bank, Owatonna Foundation, Owatonna Granite Monuments, Prairie Ridge Orthodontics, All the Details LLC, Alerus, Holland Family Dental, Smith Dental Care, P.A., State Farm Steve Carroll, Dakota Valley Maxillofacial & Oral Surgery, Southern Heights Dental Group and Wottreng Family Dental.

Mineral Springs Brewery is located at 210 N. Oak Ave. Suite 11, Owatonna.