Bright Smiles van delivers dental care and education to kids across Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — An event that gives you something to smile about.

On Monday, the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) Mobile Van Unit made a cheerful stop at The Kitchen Ministry at Trinity United Methodist Church, bringing with it a busload of bright smiles, bubbly energy, and free dental education.

Bianca Masson, a representative from Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, was all smiles as she shared the day’s mission: providing free dental screenings and education for children aged 12 and under.

Masson explained the program’s reach, saying, “We cover the entire state of Florida. However, we have eight vans in the country, so we are jumping around, bouncing around from Miami to West Palm Beach like today.”

The Kitchen Ministry said each child received a visual dental screening from a licensed oral health professional, along with a goody bag that included a brand-new toothbrush, toothpaste sample, brushing chart, and a list of local dental offices — just in case a follow-up is needed.

But don’t worry, parents — this wasn’t a replacement for a regular dental check-up. It was more like a fun, friendly pit stop on the road to lifelong dental health.

Masson emphasized the importance of dental hygiene, noting, “Whatever you value in your childhood, you will continue that practice for the rest of your life.”

See also: Hometown Hero: Mother-daughter duo helps tens of thousands of domestic violence survivors

The mobile unit followed strict safety protocols, including disinfecting between each child and a full deep clean at the end of the day. Even the volunteers and students wore masks before stepping aboard the smile-mobile, according to the news release.

With more than just toothpaste and charts, the BSBF van delivered something even more valuable: confidence, care, and a reason to smile a little brighter.

Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day’s top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can’t miss video.