For many Filipinos, going to the dentist can bring two immediate concerns: pain and cost.
Awesam Smile Dental Clinic founder and CEO Dr. Samantha Rose “Sam” Bernardo wants to change that perception.
Speaking to members of the entertainment media during a recent media conference, Bernardo addressed what she considers two common misconceptions about dental visits: that dental procedures are always painful and that dental care is always expensive.
She also emphasized the importance of preventive care and patient education instead of waiting for dental problems to become painful.
“Hindi lahat ng dental procedures is masakit. Ang masakit kasi talaga is ’yung napapabayaan,” she shared when asked about the misconceptions in her field.
(Not all dental procedures are painful. What really hurts is when the condition is neglected.)
“Marami kami ngayong mga preventive dentistry.” (We now have many preventive dentistry options.)
She cited preventive treatments such as fissure or pit-and-fissure sealants, which can help protect vulnerable areas of the teeth before cavities develop.
“Akala din nila laging mahal!”
Aside from the fear of pain, Bernardo also wants patients to understand that dental treatment costs vary depending on the condition being treated.
“Akala din nila laging mahal!” (They also think that it’s always expensive.)
At Awesam Smile, Bernardo said the team makes an effort to show patients what they are seeing and explain the recommended treatment and its corresponding cost.
“Kaya kami actually sa clinic, lagi namin talagang pinapakita. We’re investing in intraoral cameras para at least nakita ng patient, and then we tell the price.”
(That’s why at the clinic, we always make it a point to show [patients what we see]. We’re investing in intraoral cameras so that patients can see it themselves, and then we tell them the price.)
“Ini-explain namin bakit ganito ’yung price, kasi iba’t iba naman talaga ng cases,” she continued.
(We explain why the price is like that because cases really do vary.)
For Bernardo, the larger goal is to make patients more informed about their oral health rather than simply treating a problem once it becomes painful.
“The most common issue I notice is that people are unaware of the importance of oral health. They only visit the dentist when their teeth ache.”
Making dental care more accessible
Dr. Sam’s advocacy extends beyond her private practice.
As part of her efforts to promote greater oral health awareness, she has also participated in initiatives that bring dental services and education to underserved communities.
“They really can’t go to the dentist. So, while we’re doing extractions, we try to teach them the proper way to care for their teeth.”
She acknowledged that for families struggling with basic necessities, dental treatment can understandably take a back seat.
“Of course, we have to understand that they’ll prioritize their basic needs, like food. That’s why we decided to hold this event in Happyland to help those who are suffering from tooth pain.”
Her message is consistent: oral health education should go hand in hand with access to professional dental care.
“If we increase the spread of dental health education, we can reduce dental issues. Another thing I constantly emphasize is that the longer we wait, the worse things will get.”
As the first dentist of her family
Bernardo is currently marking her 10th year as a licensed dentist. She graduated from Centro Escolar University Manila in 2016 and described herself as the first dentist in her family.
“It’s my 10th year as a licensed dentist. So I graduated way back 2016 from Centro Escolar University Manila. I’m the first dentist in the family.”
She has continued to pursue additional education and postgraduate training, including studies in digital dentistry and oral and facial aesthetics at UCLA in Los Angeles, oral and facial aesthetics training in Dubai, and postgraduate training in periodontics at the University of the Philippines Manila.
She has also undergone training in oral surgery and hospital dentistry at Metropolitan Medical Center, as well as cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry.
That continuing education has accompanied the growth of Awesam Smile Dental Clinic, which recently opened its ninth branch at Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig.
Bringing oral health into the entertainment spotlight
The clinic’s growing presence in showbiz has also helped Bernardo reach an audience beyond traditional dental spaces.
Among the personalities associated with Awesam Smile are Mika Salamanca, Bianca de Vera, Jaz of G22, and Daniel Matsunaga, who joined Bernardo at the opening of the Venice branch.
Matsunaga, in particular, has been part of the clinic’s journey from its early days.
“I was the first endorser of Awesam,” he previously shared.
With celebrities and young personalities increasingly becoming part of the clinic’s roster of ambassadors, Bernardo sees an opportunity to make conversations about oral health more relatable to the public.
Still, she emphasizes that dentistry is not simply about achieving a picture-perfect smile.
“Dental care should never be a luxury. It’s a basic need, and I’ll keep working to make it available to everyone.”
She has likewise encouraged patients to consider the long-term value of dental treatments instead of choosing procedures solely because they are cheaper.
“Invest in your oral health. Kasi ang oral health, ang ngipin natin hindi lang ’yan parang pampaganda or ngiti lang.”
(Invest in your oral health. Because oral health and our teeth aren’t just for beauty or smiling.)
“I’m not expecting talaga yung return“
Despite the growth of her dental practice and her increasing visibility in entertainment circles, Bernardo said she did not initially pursue her outreach and educational work expecting something in return.
“At first talaga, lahat talaga ng ginagawa ko, lalo na especially sa mga outreach program or sa dental education, I’m not expecting talaga ’yung return,” she explained.
(At first, everything I did, especially the outreach programs and dental education, I really wasn’t expecting anything in return.)
For Bernardo, meeting new people and learning from them has already been rewarding, particularly when her work helps others understand the importance of health education.
“Happy na ako sa meron akong mga nami-meet na new people. Lalo na kung nakakapagbigay din sila ng lesson din sa akin.”
(I’m already happy with the new people I get to meet, especially when they can also teach me something.)
She said she hopes these interactions can help people become more aware of different aspects of health, including oral health.
“And of course, kung ’yung mga about health education, mental health education, marami rin silang natututunan and mas lalong bumubukas ’yung mata nila na, ‘Ay, importante nga talaga ang oral health.’”
(And of course, when it comes to health education and mental health education, they also learn a lot, and their eyes are opened even more to the fact that oral health really is important.)
A recognition she shares with her team
Bernardo’s work recently earned her another milestone when she was named Dentist of the Year at the Village People Awards 2026.
She recalled being surprised when she first learned that she had been nominated, particularly after discovering that the awards had introduced the category for the first time.
“So fortunately that time, nagulat ako na isa ako—I mean, ako ’yung nanalo na Dentist of the Year 2026. So overwhelming siya, syempre, at the same time fulfilling din.”
(So fortunately, at that time, I was surprised to learn that I was one of the nominees—I mean, that I won Dentist of the Year 2026. It was overwhelming, of course, but at the same time, fulfilling.)
For Bernardo, however, the recognition is ultimately a reflection of a collective effort.
“Kasi ibig sabihin pa lang lahat ng hard work din namin. And lagi ko sinasabi, I cannot do this alone.”
(Because it represents all of our hard work. And I always say, I cannot do this alone.)
As Awesam Smile continues to expand its presence in dentistry and entertainment, Bernardo hopes to keep the conversation focused on what she considers the bigger picture: encouraging Filipinos to take their oral health seriously before pain becomes the reason they finally seek help.
For her, a healthy smile is not simply an aesthetic asset—it is part of taking care of one’s overall well-being.
CinemaBravo 
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