No more toothless and crooked smiles.
The Manila Health Department (MHD)-Dental Section headed by Dr. Joan Carbonell provided more than 70 patients with free braces and dentures in line with the celebration of the National Oral Health Month.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and Vice Mayor John Marvin Yul Servo-Nieto led the celebration at the Universidad de Manila (UdM) on Feb. 23, of “Walang Batang Manilenyong Bungi Sa 2030 program (There will be no children with missing teeth in Manila by 2030)” with this year's theme: “Sa healthy Maynila, bawat ngiti ay mahalaga (In a healthy Manila, every smile is important).”
The MHD said that around 50 students were given free braces while 20 indigent parents were given free dentures.
It also conducted a lecture on digital periapical x-rays which provide a detailed view of the entire tooth and can help diagnose issues affecting the teeth such as root infections or tooth fractures. 
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan (3rd from right), Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto (5th from left) with Manila Health Department Chief Dr. Arnold "Poks" Pangan (3rd from left) and Dental Section Chief Dr. Joan Carbonell (4th from left)
Lacuna applauded all the dentists at the MHD for seeking help in order to provide free dental services to city residents who do not have the means to visit dental clinics.
“Ang atin pong mga masisipag na mga dentista sa MHD ay gumagawa ng paraan, naghahanap sila ng mga may mabubuting kalooban na makakatulong natin (Our hardworking dentists at the MHD are making a way, they are looking for people with good hearts who will help us),” she said.
The Manila Health Department-Dental Section headed by Dr. Joan Carbonell
“Ayan po ang kagandahan sa ating lungsod, marami po ang mga nagnanais na tumulong sa atin, sa kanila, kahit na sa maliit na paraan, nang sa gayon maramdaman naman ng ating mga kababayan na kahit sila ay hindi masyadong pinalad sa buhay, ay mararanasan din po nila o nabibigyan sila ng sapat at tamang pag-aalaga ng kanilang mga ngipin sa pamamagitan ng programang ito (There are many people who want to help us, in their own small way, so that our people can feel that even if they are not very fortunate in life, they will also be given adequate and proper care of their teeth through this program of MHD),” she added.
A digital periapical x-ray being conducted on a dental patient.
The mayor also said that the program of giving free dental services to residents is one way for the city government to reach the status of a magnificent Manila by 2030 to 2045.
She also encouraged the dentists to educate the residents to take care of their dental health.
The MHD-Dental Section Team with Kagawad Jason Yu
MHD Chief Dr. Arnold “Poks” Pangan also encouraged the city's dentists to continue their hard work to provide more services so that in 2030, no more children will have infected teeth.