At the 2025 Public Health Champions Awards Ceremony in San Diego, Sarah St. John was honored with the prestigious LiveWell San Diego 24th Annual Public Health Champions Award for her groundbreaking contributions to dental care in underserved communities. As the founder of All Smile, Sarah has dedicated her career to expanding access to preventive dental hygiene services, particularly for those with limited access to traditional care, including military spouses and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Sarah's innovative approach includes the establishment of San Diego County's first school-based dental sealant program in February 2019, which now provides essential services such as dental screenings, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and referrals to specialty care. Her efforts ensure that many children in the community receive annual dental cleanings, a benefit covered by Medi-Cal Dental.

In a significant expansion of her services, Sarah is now collaborating with health service providers to offer in-home dental hygiene care for older adults and individuals who are disabled or unhoused. Through the county's street medicine initiative, she has connected with providers to deliver services at homeless court pop-up resource fairs, further demonstrating her commitment to reducing health disparities.

Following Sarah's recognition, Rosa Gracian, Deputy Director of the Department of Strategy and Community Engagement, presented the Regional Public Health Champions Awards to six additional individuals and organizations. These awardees were celebrated for their exceptional efforts in promoting health equity, diversity, and inclusion across San Diego County.

The ceremony highlighted the importance of community service and innovation in public health, showcasing the impactful work being done to create a healthier and more equitable environment for all residents.