Celebrity dentist Sam Bernardo celebrates birthday with dental mission
In a continuous effort to make dental care accessible to underserved communities, celebrity dentist Dr. Samantha Bernardo of Awesam Smile Dental Clinic recently hosted a free dental mission in Barangay Tumana, Marikina City, as part of her birthday celebration.
Now in its eighth year, the annual outreach, which began in 2017 as a small personal initiative initially focused on elderly residents in care homes, has since evolved into a broader program aimed at addressing long-standing gaps in oral health awareness and access among low-income Filipinos.
“This year, we focused on preventive dentistry. We don’t want teeth to decay and end up needing to be extracted. That’s why we did fluoride treatment, because fluoride helps strengthen our teeth,” explained Bernardo.
More than 1,500 children received free dental services, including fluoride application, tooth extractions, and oral prophylaxis. To accommodate this, Bernardo’s team brought a mobile dental chair to the site. Parents accompanying their children were given grocery packs containing rice and basic necessities
Bernardo also emphasized the importance of early education in dental care, pointing out that misconceptions and lack of information remain significant barriers.
“We also gave dental education so that even at an early stage, we can guide the parents,” she said, explaining that parental involvement is crucial in shaping children’s oral hygiene habits—from proper tooth brushing techniques to knowing when to replace toothbrushes.
She also acknowledged how deeply ingrained the neglect of oral health is in many communities—not due to apathy, but due to limited access and prioritization.
“Honestly, in the Philippines, this isn’t really a priority for many. Usually, people only think about visiting the clinic when their tooth already hurts,” added Bernardo.
According to Bernardo, this delayed approach often results in more severe dental problems, including extractions that could have been prevented with timely care. She noted that many Filipinos still underestimate the impact of oral health on overall well-being.
“When a patient has a toothache, they can’t sleep—many aspects of life are affected. Problems with the temporomandibular joint can lead to lockjaw or even migraines,” she continued.
To help encourage participation and reduce anxiety around dental care, she invited actress Kim Rodriguez and social media personality Boss Toyo to support the event. Bernardo explained that their presence helped ease fears often associated with dental visits.
“Typically, people are afraid of the dentist. That’s why we want to make them feel comfortable,” said Bernardo.
Reflecting on her journey, Bernardo shared that she began her practice with minimal resources.
“When I started, I didn’t have much. I was the first dentist in the family, and I began working from home. It’s a different kind of joy when you’re able to help. It motivates me to keep working because there are so many people counting on me,” she shared.
She also reiterated her commitment to continuing these outreach efforts and hinted at plans to expand. Her clinic is also developing a line of oral care products, beginning with toothbrushes, which she hopes will reach more communities in the coming years.
“Right now, I’m really happy that I can help at this scale. And I’ve become an inspiration for others,” Bernardo stated.
