Our Mission
The Brighter Smiles Initiative has been dedicated to bridging disparities in oral healthcare for underserved communities — both in the Bay Area and globally — since 2023. Through education, advocacy, and access to essential dental supplies, we empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed for lifelong oral health. We welcome financial contributions and donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, and educational resources to support our mission. Together, we can create brighter, healthier smiles and make a lasting impact on our community.
Meet our Founders
Diba Zare Nejad
Diba Zare Nejad
Diba Zare Nejad
Hi! I'm Diba Zare Nejad, 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 firs
Hi! I'm Diba Zare Nejad, 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.
Rachael Lamden
Diba Zare Nejad
Diba Zare Nejad
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 Lucen
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.