The halls of I E Johnson Elementary School were filled with smiles this week.

Many students were sharing their freshly treated pearly whites with anyone who would look.

Their healthy smiles are courtesy of Smile North Carolina— the mobile dentists, a group of dental health-care professionals who travel the state.

The Smile program specifically targets children and is part of a larger organization that serves almost a dozen states.

Four Smile teams have been to Johnson for three visits this spring to brighten the smiles of students.

Lydia Smith, school nurse, oversaw the visits getting information out to parents, obtaining signed permission slips, and coordinating the scheduled visits.

Smith also manages the school’s weekly Swish program which provides fluoride protection for participating students. In all, the Smile team treated 133 students during their time at the school.

Smile team member Amanda Stroud, a dental hygienist from Garner exclaimed, “Whew!” when she collapsed after the last bell rang Wednesday.

"Mrs. Smith was invaluable in organizing the team’s day, " Stroud said. " Things ran very smoothly. Busses were held a few minutes for students who were finishing up with their treatments."

Smile North Carolina… the mobile dentists provide dental exams,

X-rays, cleanings, and dental sealants. Dental insurance and Medicaid pay for the services. If a patient does not have any type of dental coverage then grants are available to cover the cost of treatment. Besides a brighter smile, students receive an oral health report card to take home.

Smith said that the school can expect another visit form the Smile North Carolina team in the fall. She hopes even more students will take advantage of this program, one that is something to smile about.