Give Kids A Smile

Give Kids A Smile Through Give Kids A Smile, more than five million children from underserved communities have received free oral health services since 2003. In 2002, Drs.

What is Give Kids A Smile®? Jeff Dalin and B. Ray Storm held the first Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) event in a run-down, soon-to-be-demolished dental clinic in St. Louis, where 15 patient chairs were scraped together to deliver free dental care to
nearly 400 children. The American Dental Association (ADA) recognized that this grassroots effort had great potential to raise awareness nationally about

the importance of oral health to overall health, and about the staggering need that exists among millions of children who go without care. So in 2003, Give Kids A Smile evolved into a nationwide program with the goal of providing free oral health care to underserved children in need. Today, Give Kids A Smile is the ADA Foundation’s signature access to care program, with events taking place throughout the year. These events kick off annually on the first Friday in February, which is Give Kids A Smile Day. Thousands of dentists and volunteers give their time to provide free oral health education, screenings, and treatment to underserved children. Since 2003, more than 5 million children have been cared for by more than half a million volunteers. None of this would be possible without the long time continued support from the program’s national sponsors, Henry Schein, Colgate, and DEXIS. Why Give Kids A Smile? According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly one in four children under the age of five already has cavities*. And a disproportionate share of tooth decay, approximately 80 percent, is suffered by our poorest children**. Although tooth decay is largely preventable, it remains one of the most common chronic diseases of children aged 6 to 11 years (25%), and adolescents aged 12 to 19 years (59%)*. Tooth decay is four times more common than asthma among adolescents aged 14 to 17 years (15%)*. That’s why the objectives of Give Kids A Smile are so important:

1. To provide care for, and find dental homes for, as many underserved children as possible, because every American deserves access to oral health care.

2. To raise awareness among the public and policymakers that access to dental care is a serious problem for many in this country, and no amount of charity care can solve the problem. How Can I Help? Be a part of the Give Kids A Smile movement! Volunteer for GKAS events at your school and/or in your community. (Your state dental association has access to a list of local GKAS
programs, updated in January of each year.) Educate children about how to take care of their teeth, so they can be good stewards of their own oral health. Visit MouthHealthy.org
for information. Learn about the need for expanded oral health care for children in underserved communities. Continue to be involved in this important effort and set a goal of providing a dental home to local kids who are in need.

Congratulations on a successful GKAS event!
04/13/2026

Congratulations on a successful GKAS event!

03/01/2026
It was a great day at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry for the 2026 national kick-off of Give Kids A Smile. Countles...
02/07/2026

It was a great day at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry for the 2026 national kick-off of Give Kids A Smile. Countless hours went into the planning and preparation and we extend heartfelt thanks to all faculty, staff, students and volunteers for bringing care, education and dental homes to so many children. This event would not be possible without the generous support of our national sponsors Henry Schein, Inc. and Colgate.

Nearly 200 children received free dental care Feb. 6 during the ADA Foundation Give Kids A Smile national kickoff in Houston.

02/06/2026
The 2026 Give Kids A Smile national kick-off will be held on Friday, February 6th at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistr...
02/03/2026

The 2026 Give Kids A Smile national kick-off will be held on Friday, February 6th at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. Thank you to all of the faculty, staff, students and sponsors that are supporting this event.
American Dental Association
Henry Schein, Inc.
Colgate

As 2026 Give Kids A Smile events kick-off, please remember to tag Give Kids A Smile in your social posts. Tomorrow will ...
01/30/2026

As 2026 Give Kids A Smile events kick-off, please remember to tag Give Kids A Smile in your social posts. Tomorrow will be an exciting and rewarding day in Ohio. Thank you to all of the volunteers for making this event happen!

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University College of Dentistry will partner with the Ohio Dental Association on Saturday, January 31, to host the 2026 Ohio Dental Association

The ADA and ADA Foundation remember Greg Biffle for his support of Give Kids A Smile and send condolences to his family ...
12/20/2025

The ADA and ADA Foundation remember Greg Biffle for his support of Give Kids A Smile and send condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as the families and loved ones of all lost.
Read more here: https://social.ada.org/4somfRR

Former NASCAR driver and oral health advocate Greg Biffle died along with his wife, daughter, son and 3 other passengers in a December 18, 2025, plane crash in Stateville, N.C.
The ADA and ADA Foundation remember Biffle for his support of Give Kids A Smile and send condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as the families and loved ones of all lost in this tragic crash.

Read more here: https://social.ada.org/4somfRR

Reminder - Deadline to sign up and receive free product is November 15th!
11/10/2025

Reminder - Deadline to sign up and receive free product is November 15th!

It’s time to join the Give Kids A Smile Movement and sign up your 2026 Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) event no later than November 15 to request free GKAS product kits for your program.

Thank you to Henry Schein, Inc. and Colgate for your ongoing support of the GKAS program.

Don’t forget to check out the GKAS Toolkit for a variety of tools, guides, and oral health educational materials for your event!

https://gkas.ada.org/login
https://www.adafoundation.org/give-kids-a-smile

Free Webinar - GKAS Promising Practices: Bright Ideas for Brighter SmilesJoin the American Dental Association Foundatio...
10/21/2025

Free Webinar - GKAS Promising Practices: Bright Ideas for Brighter Smiles
Join the American Dental Association Foundation on Thursday, October 30th from 12–1 p.m. EST for a dynamic webinar highlighting innovative approaches to Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) events. Hear from three GKAS-experienced organizations as they share how they design and enhance their programs to reach more children, engage communities, and expand impact. Attendees will gain fresh ideas, practical tips, and inspiration to begin or strengthen their own GKAS events.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rKI6BPgxTLmzeJ4WvG28Jg #/registration

It’s time to join the Give Kids A Smile Movement and sign up your 2026 Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) event no later than Nove...
10/01/2025

It’s time to join the Give Kids A Smile Movement and sign up your 2026 Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) event no later than November 15 to request free GKAS product kits for your program.

Thank you to Henry Schein, Inc. and Colgate for your ongoing support of the GKAS program.

Don’t forget to check out the GKAS Toolkit for a variety of tools, guides, and oral health educational materials for your event!

https://gkas.ada.org/login
https://www.adafoundation.org/give-kids-a-smile

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