How the Program Works

Bright Smiles is a community partnership that provides oral healthcare for low-income children ages 5 and younger. A leading childhood disease is tooth decay—and it is almost entirely preventable if children receive proper care.

Piloted in 2005, it primarily serves Ramsey County Hmong and Latino children—populations most vulnerable to tooth decay.  The pilot program provided 800+ children with screenings, and 850 parents and/or caregivers with education about good oral hygiene practices.

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

In 2007, with United Way support and a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the program provided over 4,700 children with dentail care, exceeding our goal by 36 percent. A majority of the children had never received dental services before and 42 percent needed and received follow-up care.

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