CareSouth Carolina Expands Miles of Smiles Program Through New Partnership with BCBS and MUSC

CareSouth Carolina is proud to announce a new partnership between its Dental Department, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, and Medical University of South Carolina aimed at expanding access to early childhood oral health care.

Through this initiative, funding will support the expansion of CareSouth Carolina’s Miles of Smiles program into local Head Start facilities. This effort will allow dental professionals to reach children at an even earlier age, providing vital oral health education and preventive care beginning with a child’s very first tooth.

“This grant allows us to reach children sooner and make a lasting impact on their oral health,” said Dr. Travis Russell, Dental Director at CareSouth Carolina. “We are passionate about helping children maintain beautiful, healthy smiles that build confidence and lifelong wellness.”

The expansion doesn’t stop with children. The Miles of Smiles team will also work closely with parents and caregivers, providing practical tools and education to help families establish strong oral health habits early on. By focusing on prevention during these formative years, the program aims to significantly reduce dental decay among elementary-aged children in the future.

Miles of Smiles has long been dedicated to improving oral health outcomes for children in the community through education, preventive services, and compassionate care. This new partnership strengthens that commitment, ensuring more families have access to essential dental resources and support from the very beginning.

CareSouth Carolina is a private, non-profit community health center delivering patient-centered health and life services in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. CareSouth Carolina operates centers in Bennettsville, Bishopville, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Dillon, Hartsville, Lake View, Latta, McColl and Society Hill.

Services provided by CareSouth Carolina include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women's services, OB/GYN, HIV/AIDS primary care, infectious disease primary care, IV therapy, substance abuse prevention, dental, chiropractic services, pharmacy, senior support services, family support services, clinical counseling, laboratory, ultrasound, X-Ray, agricultural worker health services, podiatry, and veterans choice provider.