Principal Colleen Stearn of Cross Creek Elementary School in Pompano Beach turned to Facebook to solve a critical health problem affecting her students, successfully connecting them with free dental care from local providers. Stearn’s social media post unexpectedly went viral, drawing immediate responses from community members willing to help children who couldn’t access basic dental services.
“I’m a firm believer where there is a will, there is a way,” Stearn told Local 10’s Michaila Hightower. The principal explained that while academic performance matters, she believes having clean, healthy teeth is equally important for her students’ overall well-being. However, most children at the school face significant barriers to dental care due to insurance limitations and family financial constraints.
State health data reveals a stark reality for Florida families seeking dental care for their children. Although millions of children qualify for Medicaid coverage, the American Dental Association reports that 74 percent of dentists in Florida do not accept the government insurance program. This coverage gap means families often cannot afford dental appointments when insurance doesn’t cover the visit, leaving many children without essential oral health care.
“We have students who have witnessed parents overdose on drugs, have their parents carted away to prison,” Stearn said, describing the challenging circumstances many of her students face at home. Recognizing that these vulnerable children needed additional support beyond the classroom, Stearn decided to leverage social media to advocate for their health needs. Her approach was simple but effective: she posted about the dental care shortage on Facebook, hoping to find community members willing to help.
“I said, ‘Well, good ol’ Facebook. Let’s give it a shot,’” Stearn said, admitting she didn’t expect much response to her online plea. The principal was surprised when her post generated immediate and overwhelming community engagement, far exceeding her modest expectations for social media outreach.
Dr. Justine Bons of Smile Perfect Deerfield became the first dental professional to respond to Stearn’s Facebook post. “That scrolling sometimes has positive effects,” Bons said, referring to her discovery of the principal’s request while browsing social media. Bons’ dental office committed to providing comprehensive free services for Cross Creek Elementary students, including cleanings, examinations, and fillings.
The community response extended beyond dental care when Nadine Theis of Navy’s Sweet Addictions bakery also saw the post and wanted to contribute. “I hit her up and I said, ‘I’m not a dentist, but I am a baker, and I’ve always wanted to donate some cakes,’” Theis said. Her bakery now provides monthly birthday cakes for students, with each cake decorated and personalized for individual children’s celebrations.
What began as a targeted request for dental services has evolved into a broader community support network for Cross Creek Elementary students. The collaboration demonstrates how social media can effectively connect schools with local businesses and healthcare providers willing to address gaps in services for vulnerable student populations. The ongoing partnership ensures students receive both essential health care and special recognition for their birthdays throughout the school year.