Celebrity dentist Dr. Samantha “Sam” Bernardo, founder of Awesam Smile Dental Clinic, turned her birthday celebration into a mission of service hosting a large-scale dental outreach dubbed “‘Ngiti Mo, Sagot Ko” at the Iwahig Covered Court in Marikina City.
Now in its eighth year, the birthday outreach included free fluoride treatments, dental cleanings, and tooth extractions for more than 1,500 children. The program also distributed grocery packs filled with rice and essentials to participating families. But beyond the numbers was Dr. Bernardo’s unwavering goal to bring dental care closer to communities often left behind.
“Every year during my birthday month, we do this. This all started back in 2017 as just a feeding program. It’s grown so much since then,” Dr. Bernardo told the press.
Dr. Bernardo, the first dentist in her family, launched her practice from the ground up. After graduating and becoming a licensed dentist, she began doing small outreach activities. Today, her commitment has grown into a fully mobile and preventive dental mission — complete with digital tools and trained volunteers — that reaches deep into underserved areas.
“This year, we really focused on prevention. Last year, we did a lot of extractions for adults. But this time, we’re trying to stop cavities before they start. Fluoride treatments, cleanings, dental education — that’s what we emphasized,” she said.
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According to Dr. Bernardo, tooth decay remains the most common issue seen in Filipino children, often compounded by gingivitis and poor oral hygiene.
“Most people only go to the dentist when there’s pain. But what they don’t realize is that by then, it might be too late. Especially with kids — once a permanent tooth is pulled, there’s no growing it back,” she said.
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To help ease anxiety around dental visits, Dr. Bernardo enlisted the help of actress Kim Rodriguez and social media personality Boss Toyo, who were on hand distributing supplies and chatting with families.
“People are afraid of dentists. But when Kim and Boss Toyo show up, it breaks the ice. It sends a message that oral care doesn’t have to be scary,” she said.
With nine Awesam Smile branches across Luzon and more expansion underway, Dr. Bernardo stays closely involved in the clinics’ operations — personally visiting sites, mentoring new dentists, and investing in advanced equipment, including systems developed by UCLA.
“My vision has always been to offer affordable but high-quality dental care. Even with celebrities coming in for veneers or whitening, we’re making sure everyday families get the basics they deserve,” she mentioned.
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That mission includes education. During the outreach, parents were given practical advice on proper brushing, choosing the right toothbrush, and when to seek professional care.
“Dental health is connected to everything — confidence, speech, even sleep. It’s not just about having a nice smile,” Dr. Bernardo said.
Reflecting on her journey from a home-based clinic in Cainta, Rizal, to now heading a growing network of dental centers and outreach efforts, Dr. Bernardo kept her message simple, “I just want to stay grounded and keep helping more people. This is the kind of work that makes it all worth it.”
