Seal in a Smile: Spreading Smiles and Promoting Health for Over 20 Years

For more than two decades, the Seal in a Smile (SIAS) program has been making a meaningful difference in the lives of children across our region. This collaborative initiative brings together the Northern Health Dental Program, the College of New Caledonia (CNC), School District 57, and the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation to promote positive, accessible dental care for children—many of whom are receiving their very first dental experience.

This year, Peden Hill Elementary has been selected as the participating school for the 2024–25 school year. With approximately 160 students ready to take part, the program continues its mission to improve oral health outcomes and create lasting, healthy habits in our youth.

A Community Collaboration

The success of SIAS lies in the strength of its partnerships:

• Northern Health’s Dental Team leads the charge by organizing and facilitating the entire program. Their focus is on prevention, ensuring that children understand the value of maintaining good oral hygiene and its impact on their overall well-being.

• School District 57 carefully selects the participating school each year, with a focus on student vulnerability and proximity to CNC’s campus to ensure accessibility.

• College of New Caledonia plays a vital role by opening the doors of its dental clinic, donating clinical supplies, and involving its Dental Assisting students in delivering care. Under professional supervision, these students provide services such as dental screenings, polishing, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and oral health education. CNC also brings in a licensed dentist to conduct full screenings and prepares take-home dental goody bags, thanks to generous donations from the local dental community.

• Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation proudly supports the program through funding transportation and student incentives, and helps bring media attention to the initiative to showcase the impact and importance of this program.

Building Confidence Through Care

For many of the children involved, SIAS represents their first-ever dental visit. The program is intentionally designed to be educational, gentle, and encouraging—helping kids build confidence in taking care of their teeth while forming positive associations with dental professionals.

At the same time, CNC’s Dental Assisting students benefit from the hands-on experience, which is a required component of their graduation. It’s a rewarding, real-world opportunity for them to make a difference in their community while learning and growing in their profession.

Why It Matters

Dental sealants—one of the key treatments offered through the program—are a thin, protective coating applied to the back teeth. This simple yet powerful solution can prevent cavities for years to come. Along with oral health instruction, this preventive care lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

A True Win-Win

The Seal in a Smile program embodies the spirit of community collaboration and care. It’s a win for students, for the dental assisting program, for the school district, and most importantly—for the children who leave with brighter smiles and healthier futures.

Thank you to all of our partners, donors, and supporters for continuing to make this essential program possible year after year.