Suncoast Community Health Centers brings mobile dental care to Hillsborough County children
Smile for Every Mile reaches approximately 3,800 children annually, bringing preventive dental services to 38 Title I elementary schools and community locations.
For thousands of Hillsborough County children, visiting the dentist doesn’t require a trip across town, a missed day of school, or a parent taking time off work.
The dentist comes to them.
Through its Smile for Every Mile program, Suncoast Community Health Centers, Inc. brings mobile dental care and oral health education directly to Hillsborough County children who might otherwise struggle to access care.
With two mobile dental coaches and a portable dental unit, the program serves 38 Title I elementary schools throughout Hillsborough County, reaching approximately 3,800 children annually.
Behind those numbers is a mission to ensure every child has a chance at a healthier smile, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
Bringing Mobile Dental Care to Hillsborough County Schools
Launched in 2008, the mobile dental program initially focused on serving low-income and minority children in southeastern Hillsborough County.
Around 2012 and 2013, Suncoast established a partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County to expand access to oral health services and address the high risk of tooth decay among school-aged children.
Natalie Wrightson, MHA, Chief Operations Officer at Suncoast Community Health Centers, said the partnership was designed to improve oral health within underserved communities.
Today, the program’s reach extends beyond schools to community partners including Children’s Board Resource Centers, RCMA, Head Start and The Spring of Tampa Bay. For families facing transportation challenges, financial constraints or demanding work schedules, having dental care available at school can make all the difference.
“I believe the Mobile dental program is an essential resource for improving oral health in the communities we serve, especially among children and families who may face barriers to accessing dental care,” explained Dalys Espinosa, Mobile Dental Program Manager at Suncoast Community Health Centers, Inc.
A Mission That Comes Full Circle
For Espinosa, the program is more than a job. It’s a commitment she has carried for more than a decade.
She joined the mobile dental team in 2012 as a dental assistant, hoping to make a difference in the lives of local children and families. After nine years with the program, she returned in 2023 to manage it.
Her mission remains unchanged.
Each month, the team sees an average of 314 children, providing preventive services, identifying dental concerns and teaching habits that can last a lifetime.
“By providing preventive services, oral health education, and community outreach, the program helps promote healthy habits, identify dental concerns early, and prevent tooth decay,” Espinosa noted.
One of the most common problems she encounters is early tooth decay, often associated with poor oral hygiene and nutritional habits. Some parents may not realize their children need dental attention until pain, visible cavities or infection develops. Another challenge is the lack of consistent follow-up care. Espinosa emphasizes the importance of regular six-month dental visits to monitor children’s oral health, identify problems early and help families understand proper dental care.
Convenience That Makes a Difference
For busy parents, the mobile dental program offers something invaluable: accessibility.
With parental consent forms completed in advance, children can receive preventive dental services at school in a familiar environment. Parents don’t have to arrange additional transportation or miss work to ensure their children receive care.
Espinosa said families have expressed appreciation for the convenience, particularly when children need urgent follow-up services but don’t have an established dental provider.
The program also reinforces the importance of oral health education at home. Teaching children to brush, floss and make healthier food choices early can help prevent dental problems as they grow.
Community Support Keeps Smiles Going
Providing care to thousands of children requires a network of financial and community support.
Wrightson explained that the program receives funding through several sources, including dental insurance reimbursements, donations, Department of Health community grants, Public School Head Start and other community partners.
For uninsured or underinsured children, those resources are especially critical.
“We are always looking for donors and community partners who share our commitment to improving children’s oral health and expanding access to dental care. Additional support helps us continue providing these services to children and families,” Wrightson continued.
That support helps sustain a program designed to reach children regardless of their insurance status or financial circumstances.
Halloween Treats Without the Dental Tricks
With Halloween around the corner, this Saturday, October 31, Espinosa has some timely advice for families preparing for costumes, candy and trick-or-treating.
“That is a spook-tacular question!” she joked when asked how children can protect their teeth during the holiday.
Her first recommendation is to limit sticky and chewy candies, which can cling to teeth or become trapped around braces, increasing the risk of cavities. Sour candies can contain acids that weaken tooth enamel, while hard candies expose teeth to sugar for extended periods and can even cause chips or breaks.
But Halloween doesn’t have to mean giving up treats altogether.
“Remember, sharing is caring!” Espinosa added.
She encourages children to share their candy haul, enjoy sweets in moderation, brush for at least two minutes with toothpaste and floss before bedtime.
“Most importantly, stay safe, protect those pearly whites and have a fang-tastic Halloween!”
Every Smile Counts
For Suncoast Community Health Centers, Smile for Every Mile is about more than dental checkups. It’s about prevention, education and giving children access to care that can improve their long-term oral health. And as the mobile dental team continues traveling throughout Hillsborough County, each stop brings another opportunity to help children develop healthier habits.
One mile, one child and one smile at a time.
To learn more about Smile for Every Mile, go here.
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