Two Tampa teenagers are giving the gift of smiles.
It may not be a common thing for teens but it has quickly become a passion for Jay Talati and Keshav Shah are IB students about to begin their junior year. The two have been best friends since they were in middle school.
Late last year, Jay traveled to India on a medical mission and saw kids his age in extreme poverty.
“I noticed that one of the key features was that they lacked basic dental hygiene," he said. "So I decided to incorporate that and help kids get the basic dental hygiene they need in order to provide them with a better life."
Jay told Keshav what he had in mind, and the two got to work. And so began Operation S.O.S. - Save Our Smiles.
It was slow going at first.
"In the beginning, we both contacted a bunch of hospitals," Shah said. "We didn't get any luck. Finally got in contact with a dental clinic, and they did give us their shipment of dental supplies."
They also sold coupon books with the profit going to purchase more.
The pair ultimately quadrupled their goal, with over 4,200 items - toothbrushes and paste, varnish, cavity fillers and more - sent to Nepal, India and Africa.
Not bad for a cuple of teenagers on summer break.
"It makes me feel good that I can make an impact on the kids' life," said Talati. "I feel like I just did this to help the kids. I never really put myself as a hero."