South Raleigh News

Families in western Wake County can now access free dental care for uninsured children and young adults up to age 20. Wake County has launched its latest Regional Smiles clinic, providing preventive dental services at no cost.

The new clinic builds on the success of the Smiles at Sunnybrook program. "Good oral health is critical for a child’s confidence, well-being and long-term success,” said Susan Evans, Chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “Expanding Regional Smiles ensures more children across Wake County have access to quality dental care, helping them develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.”

Located at the Western Health and Human Services Center in Cary, this clinic offers monthly appointments as part of an initiative to improve healthcare access in underserved areas.

Since 2017, Smiles at Sunnybrook has provided free preventive dental care to over 7,000 uninsured children through funding from a grant by the NC Office of Rural Health. Regional Smiles expanded first to the Northern Regional Center in February 2023, then to the Southern Regional Center in October 2023, and later to the Eastern Regional Center in July 2024. The addition of the Cary location means families throughout all areas of Wake County are now served by this program.

Appointments for Regional Smiles are available by calling 919-250-4610 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about Wake County’s dental clinics, visit wake.gov/smiles.