Volunteer FAQs

Volunteer registration

How do I volunteer at Ready, Set, Smile?  

  • Please fill out the inquiry form on our website and our volunteer coordinator will reach out to you with five documents to complete.  

How do I cancel my volunteer shift?  

General volunteer questions

What is the minimum age for volunteering? 

  • The minimum age for volunteering at a school-based dental clinic is 14 years old. Individuals ages 10 to 14 may volunteer with their parent or guardian during group volunteer opportunities at the RSS headquarters.  

How can I get a certificate for my community service hours?  

  • All volunteers will receive a certificate documenting their volunteer hours each summer at the end of the school year, or sooner upon request. 

Are dental professional volunteers eligible for continuing education credits?  

  • Volunteer dental professionals can receive a certificate documenting their service, which may count toward elective continuing education hours. Certificates are issued each summer at the end of the school year, or sooner upon request. 

 Office volunteeers

Where are the RSS headquarters?  

  • Ready, Set, Smile, 3501 Aldrich Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 

Where should I park?  

  • Please Park on Aldrich Ave S or W 35th St but be mindful of winter parking and street sweeping restrictions. See the Minneapolis snow emergency parking map and rules here.  

What should I wear?  

  • Please wear comfortable clothing, such as jeans or leggings with a T-shirt or sweatshirt. It's not necessary to dress in business casual or professional. 

What hours during the week can I volunteer?  

  • Volunteers are welcome 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday except for when the RSS headquarters are closed.  

What is the volunteer shift schedule?  

  • We do not have a set shift schedule for office volunteers aside from volunteering during the hours stated above.  

How can I be reminded of my volunteer shifts?  

  • The RSS volunteer coordinator will send Outlook calendar invites for each volunteer shift.  

Clinic Volunteers

What should I wear? 

  • Please wear plain dark colored pants, comfortable shoes, and the white volunteer t-shirt that RSS will provide.  

Where should I park? 

  • This varies by school. Some allow visitors to park on-site, while others require street parking. Please follow posted signs and any restrictions, including snow emergencies or street sweeping. 

How can I be reminded of my volunteer shifts? 

  • The RSS volunteer coordinator will send Outlook calendar invites for each volunteer shift. Each invite will include the school's address, what to wear, when to arrive on the day of, and what to bring.  

What schools does RSS serve?  

  • RSS serves 60+ public, charter and Catholic preschools, elementary and middle schools around the Twin Cities metro area.