Give Kids A Smile kicks off in St Louis

Program celebrates 21st year

St. Louis— Give Kids A Smile kicks off Feb. 3 in the place where it was born.

St. Louis is the host this year of the national kickoff of Give Kids A Smile, the flagship access-to-care program administered by the ADA Foundation where nearly 6,500 dentists and 30,000 dental team members volunteer annually to provide underserved children with free oral health care services.

One hundred and sixty children are expected to receive free dental care Feb. 3 at the St. Louis University Center for Advanced Education. Nearly 350 dentists, dental residents, dental assistants, hygienists and volunteers will come together to provide care.

Tomorrow, your work will undoubtedly make a mark on the lives of these children and put smiles on their faces,” ADA President George R. Shepley, D.D.S., told a group of dentists, dental leaders and sponsors at a reception Feb. 2. “So, thank you all, for your continued support and participation over the last 20 years. You are continuing a legacy of service in this profession, and you undoubtedly have an enormous effect on the quality of children’s lives.

Twenty-two years ago, Jeffrey Dalin, D.D.S., co-founded the St. Louis Give Kids A Smile program, which evolved into the ADA Foundation’s signature access-to-care program. The yearlong program kicks off each year on the first Friday in February in conjunction with National Children’s Dental Health Month.

This year’s sponsors include Colgate-Palmolive and Henry Schein, Inc.

For more information about GKAS, visit adafoundation.org/GKAS .