About the Initiative

The Smile Project is an evidence-based community oral health education initiative advancing oral health equity through partnerships with community organizations.

Mission

To advance oral health equity by improving oral health literacy, promoting disease prevention, and increasing access to evidence-based oral health education in community settings.

Vision

Communities where accessible, culturally responsive oral health education supports prevention, healthy aging, and improved overall health for everyone.

Community oral health education
Areas of Focus

Where our education concentrates.

Oral health literacy
Prevention
Oral health equity
Healthy aging
Oral-systemic health
Culturally responsive education
Core Values

What guides our work.

Oral Health Equity

Working to make oral health education accessible regardless of income, language, or background.

Prevention

Focusing upstream on education that helps prevent disease before it starts.

Evidence-Based Practice

Grounding all education in current clinical and public health research.

Cultural Responsiveness

Delivering education that reflects the languages and lived experiences of each community.

Accessibility

Meeting people in trusted community settings, at no cost to participants.

Community Partnership

Collaborating with established organizations to extend reach and impact.

Why The Smile Project Was Created
01

A gap in access to education

Oral health education remains inaccessible for many individuals and communities. Barriers such as cost, language, and unfamiliarity with the dental care system leave preventable conditions unaddressed.
02

Bringing education into the community

The Smile Project was created to help bridge this gap by bringing evidence-based oral health education directly into community settings, where people already gather and feel supported.
03

Prevention and oral-systemic health

Prevention-focused education reduces the risk of oral disease and supports overall health, given the well-established connections between oral health and systemic conditions.
04

Equity and culturally responsive education

By delivering accessible, culturally responsive education, The Smile Project works to advance oral health equity and support healthy aging across diverse communities.
Standards & Accountability

Regulated, independent, and evidence-based.

Scope of Practice

Education only — no clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment.

Regulated Practice

Facilitated by a Registered Dental Hygienist in accordance with CDHO standards.

Evidence-Based & Unbiased

Research-informed content, independent and free from commercial influence.

Consent & Privacy

Verbal consent obtained; no unnecessary personal health information collected.