Give Kids A Smile

Give Kids A Smile Day is February 1st

This day kicks off the Give Kids a Smile Program by the American Dental Association.

Every year, thousands of oral health professionals across the country volunteer their time and talent at local events to provide a range of free dental services and education to children in need as part of the ADA Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) program. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dental caries, or cavities, are the most prevalent infectious disease in children in the U.S., affecting more than 40 percent of infants and preschoolers by the time they reach kindergarten and about half of all children from lower-income families.

History of Give Kids A Smile Day

In 2002, Drs. 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. in 2003, Give Kids A Smile evolved into a nationwide program with the collaboration of the ADA, Henry Schein, Procter & Gamble, and DEXIS.

Since 2003, more than 5.5 million children have been cared for by more than half a million volunteers. Give Kids A Smile remains a critical piece of the ADA’s Action for Dental Health, a nationwide, community-based movement aimed at ending the dental health crisis facing America today. It is designed to address the dental health crisis in three distinct areas: 1. Provide care now to people who are suffering from untreated disease, 2. Strengthen and expand the public/private safety net, and 3. Bring disease prevention and education into communities.

2017 began the Tiny Smiles Program. In 2019, KIND joined the ADA efforts.

Oral Health and Dentist Resources

• MouthHealthy—The American Dental Association’s site features a variety of tips and resources for parents and caregivers.
• MouthHealthy Kids—The American Dental Association’s kids’ site has games, videos, and activities, as well as resources for teachers.
• Give Kids A Smile®—GKAS volunteers provide free dental health education, screenings, preventive care, and/or treatment for underserved kids.
• Dental Care During Pregnancy—Visit MouthHealthy for dental care tips for expectant mothers.
• Brush, Book, Bed—The American Academy of Pediatrics program to help families establish a healthy nighttime routine that includes brushing teeth, reading together, and a regular bedtime. Visit the site for free resources to start a program in your office.
• FIND A DENTIST
• ADA Find-a-Dentist®
• InsureKidsNow.gov
• Find a Health Center (Health Resources & Services Administration)

Ways You Can Get Involved

You can volunteer for a GKAS program or donate to the Give Kids a Smile website. You can also hold GKAS events. Being a part of this charity program and awareness effort truly gives kids something to smile about.