How the Program Works

Bright Smiles is an oral health prevention initiative for children and pregnant women. According to national and Minnesota data, significant oral health disparities exist among children living in low-income homes, and a growing percentage of children ages 5 and under are experiencing untreated and severe tooth decay.

Consequences of poor oral health include destruction of teeth, inadequate nutrition, pain, speech problems, difficulty learning, absenteeism from school and a loss of self-esteem. A leading childhood disease is tooth decay—and it is almost 100 percent rely preventable if children receive proper care.

Piloted in 2005 in Ramsey County, Bright Smiles has now expanded its program coverage to include Dakota and Hennepin counties. The grants focus on services that provide care to uninsured or underinsured children who are most at risk for poor oral health and to low-income families, including new immigrants, refugees and racial or ethnic minorities.

Bilingual outreach workers provide initial screenings and periodic exams. More extensive dental care, if needed, is provided at low or no cost.

With United Way support and a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the program provides nearly 11,000 children up to age 5 and over 2,000 pregnant women from low-income, underserved populations with essential preventive and dental treatment services.

Tooth decay:

• Is one of the most common chronic disease in children.
• Affects 50 percent of first graders.
• Is one of the leading reasons kids miss school.
• Causes pain, inadequate nutrition and improper tooth and jaw function.

Bright Smiles Oral Healthcare Providers

Children’s Dental Services, Inc.
Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties
Community Dental Care
Open Cities Health Center
Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative
West Side Community Health Services