FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) and Leadership Broward Class XXXIX’s team Operation Smile hosted Spread Smiles and Bee Happy, a family-friendly, dental-themed parade on Saturday, February 27.

Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis and Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Ben Sorensen were among local dignitaries who joined the festivities and honored CDTC with a special proclamation in celebration of Children’s Dental Health Month.

Children with special needs and those who are at risk had a chance to meet the Tooth Fairy and their favorite characters from “Frozen.” Dr. Lidia Alonso, DMD, CDTC’s pediatric dentist, who specializes in children who require personal, specialized care, helped families learn CDTC’s Dental Clinic which helps to relieve anxieties and fears children may have when going to the dentist.

The first 150 attendees also received free goodie bags packed with giveaways valued at $100 thanks to Spread Smiles and Bee Happy sponsors Moss Construction, Tripp Scott, Flamingo Gardens, Museum of Discovery & Science, Lunchbox and Florida Children’s Theatre.

The CDTC, a facility of Broward Health, is a not-for-profit serving nearly 11,000 clients with special healthcare needs in Broward County annually, with a mission is to promote the optimal health and well-being of children with special healthcare needs by providing comprehensive prevention, intervention, and treatment services for children and adolescents with complex or special needs, such as chronic illnesses, disabilities, and developmental delays.

Alonso and her team provide care to children with many different complex diagnoses, including autism and cerebral palsy, and can treat many conditions that some pediatric dentists cannot.

Families with special needs children can make an appointment with the Center’s pediatric dentist by calling 954728-1126. For other information visit childrensdiagnostic.org.