Parents and children in Eastern Wake County have something to smile about as Wake County has “cut the floss” at the newest location of the cross-county Regional Smiles program.
This program is an expansion of the award-winning Smiles at Sunnybrook program and offers free dental exams, teeth cleanings, x-rays and fluoride applications to those under 20 who don’t have insurance.
"Access to quality dental care is essential for a child's overall health and well-being. A healthy smile not only boosts self-esteem and confidence but also sets the foundation for a brighter future,” said Wake County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Susan Evans. “Our hope is that Regional Smiles will teach more children and young adults good oral hygiene habits and set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.”
This newest clinic inside the Eastern Regional Center in Zebulon will offer monthly dental appointments. It’s all part of a program designed to help increase healthcare access to underserved areas of the county.
The Smiles at Sunnybrook program is an initiative funded by a grant from the NC Office of Rural Health and has provided preventative dental care at no cost to uninsured children between the ages of zero to 20 years old at Wake County’s Public Health Center on Sunnybrook Road in Raleigh. Since October 2017, the program has served more than 6,200 children in our community.
Regional Smiles first expanded to the Northern Regional Center in February 2023 and then to the Southern Regional Center in October 2023. Following this new clinic in Zebulon, county leaders will now look at expanding offerings to additional regional center locations.
The clinics offer no-cost:
- Exams
- Cleanings
- Fluoride applications
- X-rays
- Education
Regional Smiles is available by appointment only. Visits can be scheduled by calling 919-250-4610 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To learn more about Wake County’s dental clinics, visit wake.gov/smiles.
