Smile Keepers

Our Mission

To deliver accessible, preventive, and advanced dental care directly within Tuolumne County schools and community sites, supporting individuals of all ages with education, screenings, fluoride treatments, and other preventive services. We partner with families and community members to navigate and access ongoing dental care, both locally and beyond, ensuring no one goes without the oral health support they need.

Smile Keepers Staff

Our program is led and operated by a dedicated team of dental health professionals who bring care and compassion to every school and community site we serve.

Since 1994, the Smile Keepers Dental Program has been dedicated to improving the oral health of children in Tuolumne County through prevention, education, and treatment. Partnering with schools, community organizations, and local dental providers, the program brings dental screenings, fluoride treatments, and oral hygiene education directly to students, ensuring that access to quality care isn’t limited by geography or family income. The video captures real moments from classrooms and community events, showing students learning proper brushing techniques, receiving checkups, and meeting with dental professionals who are passionate about making a difference.

The film also shares the program’s broader vision—to create a generation of children who understand the importance of dental health as a vital part of overall well-being. By removing barriers to care and providing families with resources for ongoing dental support, Smile Keepers empowers children to smile with confidence and enjoy healthier futures. The video is both a celebration of the program’s decades of service and a call to action for the community to support and sustain its mission.

The Dental Office at School is redefining how children in rural Tuolumne County access dental care. Developed by Smile Keepers through a 5-year HRSA grant, this program places a fully functioning dental office right where students learn, removing the transportation and scheduling challenges that often prevent children from receiving timely care. By meeting students in a familiar setting, the Dental Office at School makes preventive services easier to access, less intimidating, and more consistent.

The first location, based at Tenaya Elementary in Groveland, uses portable dental equipment, secure telehealth technology, and direct coordination with licensed dentists to provide cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and other preventive services. For families, this means fewer missed work hours, less time on the road, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing care is delivered where it’s needed most. Operated in partnership with MACT Health Services, the program ensures seamless connections to a dental clinic for follow-up or restorative care.

Looking ahead, Smile Keepers is committed to expanding the Dental Office at School model to additional campuses, bringing the benefits of early intervention, preventive education, and convenient access to more children in our community. This approach not only improves oral health but also supports overall well-being, helping students stay healthy, confident, and ready to learn.

Preschool Partners

• ATCAA Head Start (all centers)
• Belleview Structured Preschool
• Columbia College Child Development Center
• Columbia College Structured Preschool
• Columbia Elementary Structured Presechool
• Kountry Kids Preschool
• Safari Learning Academy
• Tiny Tots Preschool

School Partners

• Belleview Elementary
• Chinese Camp Science Academy
• Columbia Elementary
• Curtis Creek Elementary
• Gold Ridge Education Center
• Gold Rush Charter School
• Jamestown Elementary
• Mother Lode Christian School
• Sonora Elementary
• Sonora Union High School District
• Soulsbyville Elementary
• Summerville Elementary
• Summerville Union High School District
• Tenaya Elementary
• Tioga Highschool
• Tuolumne County Special Education
• Tuolumne Learning Center
• Twain Harte Elementary