The Brighter Smiles Initiative
About Brighter Smiles Initiative (BSI):
Brighter Smiles Initiative (BSI) is a nonprofit organization founded by Rachael and Diba, two passionate pre-dental students from UC Berkeley. Committed to improving oral health equity, BSI aims to address disparities in dental care by providing essential oral health supplies to underserved communities. Our mission is to bring brighter, healthier smiles to those who need it most.
Starting Spring 2025, BSI will also become an official club at UC Berkeley, broadening our impact and fostering a greater community of student volunteers dedicated to making a positive change.
Support Our Philanthropic Efforts:
Your donation directly supports our care packages; filled with toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss that we deliver to communities in need. With your help, we can continue to enhance the quality of life for countless individuals through better oral health.
If you, or a community you know, need these supplies, please reach out to us. We’re here to help bring brighter smiles and better oral health to everyone.
Rachael Lamden, Co-founder
Hi! I’m Rachael Lamden, Co-Founder of the Brighter Smiles Initiative (BSI), which was founded over a year ago while I was President of the Pre-Dental Society at UC Berkeley. Seeing the need for more real-life exposure to dentistry, I aimed to bridge the gaps in oral healthcare access that many face. Volunteering with non-profits like Lucent Dental highlighted the disparities in care, reinforcing my belief that oral healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. Alongside my Co-Founder Diba and our team, we’ve recruited volunteers, raised awareness, and established a donation profile to support our mission. Now, as a dental student at USC, I’m excited to continue expanding BSI and making a lasting impact in the field.
Diba Zare Nejad, Co-founder
Hi! I'm Diba Zarenejad, Co-Founder and Executive President of the Brighter Smiles Initiative (BSI). Over the past year, BSI has successfully achieved its goals, both locally and globally. The idea for this initiative began during my role as Education Outreach Coordinator in the UC Berkeley Pre-Dental Society, where Rachael and I saw firsthand the disparities in oral healthcare access. Currently, as an intern at the UCSF Community Dental Clinic and the Community Service Director of the Pre-Dental Society at UC Berkeley, I am committed to bridging gaps in oral health through BSI's donations and outreach efforts. I've applied to dental schools this cycle and am excited to expand BSI's mission to whichever dental school I attend, bringing brighter smiles to even more communities.