Communitypartnership bringsoral health education, dentalcareand brighter futures to families across Arizona
/PRNewswire/ –Every bright future starts with a healthy smile. When children do not receive preventive dental care, they areat greater risk for pain, infection, difficulty eating, missed school days and other health concernsthat canimpacttheir growth and well-being.That’swhy Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice, AZ Blue’s Medicaid team, works to amplify the mission of organizations likeThe Smile Zonethat are already making a difference in the communities we serve.
Key Takeaways:
- AZ Blue HealthChoice supportsTheSmileZone’s work to expand dental care and oral health education for Arizona children.
- Through a $7,000investment, The Smile Zonehas provideddental servicesto morethan3,000 children.
- The partnership helps reach uninsured children and families in rural and under-resourced communities across Arizona.
HowThe Smile Zoneis making a difference across Arizona
The Smile Zoneis a nonprofit organization focused on providing accessible, quality dental care and oral health education to youth across Arizona.Their work removesbarriers to care and gives families the tools they need to build healthy habits for life.
With support from AZ Blue Health Choice,The Smile Zonecan:
- provide oral hygiene education to children and families
- expand access to dental care for uninsured children
- support youth in rural and under-resourced communities
- focus outreach on children in the Head Start Birth to Five program while serving children in need across Arizona
The Smile Zoneis making a growing impactonchildren and families across Arizona.
Through AZ Blue Health Choice funding,The Smile Zonehas reached:
- 2,260 children in 2025
- 933 children in the first quarter of 2026
Behind every number is a child receiving care, a family gaining support, and a community moving toward better health.
Words fromThe Smile Zonefounder Dora Pesqueda
“The Smile Zoneis more than dental care. We are a bridge to access, confidence and opportunity for children and families who need it most,” said Dora Pesqueda. “We believe every child deserves access to care, which is why we meet families where they are, remove barriers and create positive, meaningful experiences that shape lifelong health. What started as a passion to serve has grown into something so much bigger across Arizona, strong partnerships with schools,providersand community leaders.Thanks to the support of AZ Blue Health Choice, togetherwe are saving one tooth at a time, creating Smiles for Miles!”
AZ Blue Health Choice values partnerships like this because helping children access dental care early, we can support healthier outcomes that last far beyond the dental chair.
To learn more about the ways AZ Blue Health Choice is making an impact, visit AZ Blue in Action.
SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona