“ 'Spread the Smile' is a new program for DDS that I believe will help the youth in the surrounding community have a better understanding of what they can do for themselves to improve their personal oral health care.  As pre-dental students, there is only so much we can do to help.  SSC enables pre-dental students make a significant change in the community.  I sincerely hope that all Delta Delta Sigma members will take advantage of this opportunity to better serve the community and appreciate what dentistry is really all about: improving oral health, reducing risks and of course, spreading the smile!!!"


Bijal Mehta
DDS President & SSC Founder


Mission   large product photo

To increase the spread of knowledge in the importance of oral hygiene by promoting healthier behaviors in children.
Purpose
Everyone knows that bad habits tend to start at a young age.  Therefore, by increasing children's awareness of detrimental oral health behaviors, we hope to promote healthy habits that last a lifetime! 
 
Description   large product photo
DDS visit various classrooms and split the class up into 4 "Smile Stations":
  • Nutrition: What you should/should not eat!
  • How to Brush & Floss the Right Way!
  • Dental Anatomy: What's in your mouth!
  • Cavities: What They Are, How They Develop & How to Avoid Them!

The 4 learning stations are followed by a “Super Smile Quiz” where students win prizes for answering questions correctly.

ALL students in the class receive toothbrushes, toothpaste and other great prizes thanks to donations from various sources.
 
History  
Delta Delta Sigma's "Spread the Smile Campaign," (SSC) was established in 2007 as a means to add another dimension to the organizations community outreach services.  DDS is focused on teaching simple, important oral hygiene skills to children between the first and eighth grades.  The very first program was a visit to Berendo Middle School, just outside of the USC campus, on March 30th, 2007.

Special Thanks   large product photo

Special thanks to the following for their donations and help in making SSC possible:

  • USC School of Dentistry
  • JEP
  • Dr. Ashok Mehta

Schools served:

  • Berendo Middle School
  • John W. Mack Elementary School