Give Kids A Smile 2026 kicks off in Houston

Nearly 200 children received free dental care Feb. 6 during the ADA Foundation Give Kids A Smile national kickoff in Houston — an appropriate start to National Children’s Dental Health Month.

2026 marks the 24th year of the program, which has served more than 10.2 million children since it began in 2003 in St. Louis.

“Give Kids A Smile is a national public-private collaboration that ensures access to quality oral health care services for all children, and given that dental disease is the No. 1 reason children are absent from school, GKAS truly improves a child's overall well-being on a daily basis,” said Rita Cammarata, D.D.S., chair of the ADA Foundation. “We sincerely thank all of the volunteers and sponsors who support this initiative, which will help improve the lives of children for years to come.”

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry hosted this year’s kickoff event, which brought together about 300 volunteers, including students, residents, faculty and staff from the dental school, as well as dentists from the Greater Houston Dental Society and predental students. They provided diagnostic, preventive, restorative and emergency services to children from Houston-area schools.

“Hosting the national kickoff for Give Kids A Smile is a historic moment for UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry and powerfully reinforces our mission to improve oral and overall health through compassionate, community-centered care,” said Raha K. Naderi, director of community outreach at the dental school. “Give Kids A Smile is more than a one-day event; it is a springboard for lifelong oral health. Every child we serve leaves not only with a healthier smile but with a clear pathway to continued care.”

The dental school has hosted Give Kids A Smile events for 21 years, serving more than 900 uninsured and underinsured children during that time. This year, the school is starting an “adopt-a-child” initiative with the Greater Houston Dental Society that will see member dentists sponsor children’s treatment costs, allowing them to return to the school’s clinics for continued treatment.

“Today, almost 200 kids from Houston received much-needed oral health services and education,” said ADA President-elect Thomas Paumier, D.D.S., who attended the kickoff. “This program prioritizes follow-up care and making sure each child seen secures a dental home. UTHealth Houston’s vision is improving oral and overall health, and the students, faculty and volunteers are truly putting that vision into action.”

New this year was the addition of a Tiny Smiles clinic, which served children up to 3 years old.

“Tiny Smiles has brought us the pleasure of helping establish a dental home for little ones while opening the door to connecting with their older siblings and family, which strengthens our bond and ability to help,” said Cristiane Fonteles, D.D.S., Ph.D., professor and interim chair of the dental school’s department of pediatric dentistry.

Give Kids A Smile events will continue across the country throughout the year. The ADA Foundation estimates 23,000 volunteers will participate in 1,200 events to provide free oral health education, dental screenings, cleanings and preventive and restorative services to 325,000 children.

The national Give Kids A Smile program is sponsored by Henry Schein and Colgate.

To learn how to support the ADA Foundation and become involved in Give Kids A Smile, visit adafoundation.org/gkas.