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Cura Smiles Inc

EIN 47-5538703 · San Diego, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceFair52 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CURA SMILES, INC. EXISTS TO EXPAND SUSTAINABLE DENTAL SERVICES TO THE UNDER-SERVED, BOTH LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY. THESES EFFORTS ARE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A SYSTEM OF TRAINING AND EQUIPPING LOCAL DENTISTS AND STUDENTS TO PROVIDE THE IMPORTANT ORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES. THE DENTAL PROCEDURES ARE PROVIDED BY LICENSED DENTISTS AND DENTAL PROFESSIONALS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THOSE IN TRAINING. THESE ARE 100% VOLUNTEER SERVICES.

Income
$261,623
Spending
$284,209
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
50

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $232,021 spent. CURA SMILES OPERATES A FREE DENTAL CLINIC IN THE UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITY OF CITY HEIGHTS, LOCATED IN SAN DIEGO, CA. THE CLINIC WAS CONSTRUCTED AND EQUIPPED WITH FIVE DENTAL CHAIRS AND PROVIDES BASIC DENTAL CARE, INCLUDING EXAMINATIONS, X-RAYS, EXTRACTIONS, FILLINGS AND CLEANING. THE CURA SMILES DENTAL PROFESSIONALS PERFORMED OVER 415,000 IN FREE PROCEDURES. 1,514 PROCEDURES WERE PERFORMED FOR THE PATIENTS. 247 PATIENTS WERE TREATED AT CURA SMILES CLINIC DURING 2024. 110 DENTURES WERE PROVIDED FOR PATIENTS DURING 2024. THERE WERE 42 VOLUNTEER DENTIST, DENTAL ASSISTANTS, HYGIENISTS, AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT 2024. THESE VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED OVER 1,232 HOURS OF SERVICE AT THE CURA SMILES CLINIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2017.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.