Partnership Announcement: Lapeer Community Schools

We are excited to announce a new partnership between The Happy Teeth Project and Lapeer Community Schools, beginning in the 2026–27 school year.

The Lapeer School District serves approximately 4,100 students, with an estimated 40% of students facing economic challenges. When evaluating where our efforts can create the most meaningful impact, Lapeer clearly stood out as a community where our mission can make a lasting difference.

This partnership is also deeply personal to our organization. One of our board members is a proud graduate of Lapeer Community Schools, and another resides in Lapeer County—making this not just a new partnership, but a return home for The Happy Teeth Project.

We are especially grateful to Superintendent Matt Wandrie for facilitating early conversations and helping bring key district leadership together. A productive planning meeting was held with Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Michelle Bradford and State Reporting & Pupil Accounting Coordinator Kristen Jeans to begin outlining what implementation of the program will look like within the district. We also appreciate the collaboration and enthusiasm of Matt Mackinder, Coordinator of Communications & District Services, whose commitment to supporting students has been evident from our very first communications.

In the coming months, we will work closely with district leadership to formally announce the application process, including eligibility criteria, key dates, and selection procedures. Together, we will also engage local businesses and community partners to help support and expand this initiative, ensuring we can grow beyond our initial commitment to serve two students in the upcoming school year.

Additionally, we will explore the opportunity to partner with an additional orthodontic provider in the region to further expand access to care and increase the number of students we can support over time.

We are honored to welcome Lapeer Community Schools into The Happy Teeth Project family. Together, we look forward to changing lives—one smile at a time.