Families in western Wake County now have access to free dental care for their uninsured children and young adults, up to the age of 20, thanks to the opening of a new Regional Smiles clinic. This initiative provides essential preventive dental services at no charge for families without insurance.
Building upon the success of the award-winning Smiles at Sunnybrook program, the Regional Smiles clinic aims to provide accessible dental care to more children across the county. The program focuses on promoting long-term oral health and well-being, particularly for underserved communities.
“Good oral health is vital for a child’s confidence, overall well-being, and future success,” said Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Susan Evans. “Expanding Regional Smiles ensures that more children across Wake County will have access to high-quality dental care, helping them develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.”
The new clinic, located at the Western Health and Human Services Center in Cary, will offer monthly appointments, furthering Wake County’s efforts to improve healthcare access in underserved areas. This is part of a larger initiative to reach families in all parts of the county, ensuring that no one is left without dental care.
Since its launch in 2017, the Smiles at Sunnybrook program—funded by a grant from the NC Office of Rural Health—has provided free preventive dental care to over 7,000 uninsured children. The Regional Smiles program expanded to the Northern Regional Center in February 2023, the Southern Regional Center in October 2023, and the Eastern Regional Center in July 2024. With the new clinic in Cary, the program now serves families throughout Wake County.
The clinics provide the following services at no cost:
- Dental exams
- Cleanings
- Fluoride treatments
- X-rays
- Oral health education
This initiative is expected to continue making a significant impact in the lives of families who might otherwise lack access to essential dental services.
