The First Smiles Education and Training Project is the result of a four-year, $7 million grant from First 5 California awarded to the CDA Foundation and the Dental Health Foundation (now Center for Oral Health) in 2004. The goal was to significantly reduce the incidence of early childhood caries in children 5 years of age and under, and those with special health care needs.

To reach this aim, the project provided training on the early detection and prevention of early childhood caries to more than 16,000 dental professionals and 4,500 medical professionals between January 2005 and December 2008. In addition, the project developed an online clearinghouse that included the latest science and research, risk assessment forms, and guidelines for providing anticipatory guidance to parents and caregivers.