A Legacy of Brighter Smiles: Celebrating 24 Years of the Give Kids A Smile Program
- The American Dental Association Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile Program Celebrates Milestone of Over 10 Million Children Reached with Essential Dental Services, in Partnership with Longtime Sponsors Henry Schein and Colgate-Palmolive
The American Dental Association Foundation (ADAF) is officially kicking off Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) 2026 at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, marking 24 years of transforming children’s lives through this access-to-oral-health-care initiative. What began as a local grassroots movement in St. Louis, MO, has evolved into a national movement, having served more than 10.2 million underserved children since 2003. GKAS begins nationally in February, which is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and events will take place year-round. These essential oral health services are made possible thanks to the tens of thousands of dental professionals who volunteer their time and talent.
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, RDH, MEd, Director of Community Outreach at the School of Dentistry. “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.
2026: A Year of Scale
Across the country, the 2026 GKAS program is mobilizing to meet a critical need:
- 325,000 Children: The estimated number of children receiving free oral health education, dental screenings, cleanings, and preventive and/or restorative services.
- 1,200 Events: A nationwide network of dental offices, medical and dental clinics, schools, and organizations hosting events.
- 23,000 Volunteers: Dentists and dental team members donating their time and expertise.
“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 #1 reason children are absent from school, GKAS truly improves a child’s overall well-being on a daily basis,” said Dr. Rita Cammarata, Chair of the ADA Foundation. “We sincerely thank all of the volunteers and sponsors that support this initiative, which will help improve the lives of children for years to come.”
Powered by Partnerships
The scale of GKAS is made possible by the support of exclusive national sponsors who provide the resources necessary to deliver care.
Henry Schein: The Foundation of Care
As the exclusive professional product sponsor since the program’s inception, Henry Schein (Nasdaq: HSIC) has contributed over $20 million in products with its supplier partners. This year alone, Team Schein has prepared more than 2,600 dental kits to equip volunteers.
“Together, we will continue to champion a critical mission: expanding access to vital oral health care for all,” said Steven Kizy, Vice President and General Manager of Henry Schein’s U.S. Dental Group.
Henry Schein’s longstanding support of the GKAS program underscores the mission of Henry Schein Cares, the Company’s global corporate citizenship initiative. Through strategic partnerships and purpose‑driven action, Henry Schein Cares seeks to drive positive, sustainable change worldwide across five core pillars: Catalyzing health care access; Advancing policies, solutions, and innovation; Relationship building for change; Empowering Team Schein; and Sustaining the planet.
In 2026, Henry Schein Cares celebrates 25 years of impact, reflecting a continued commitment to improving access to care, strengthening communities, and helping to create a healthier world. The Company’s long‑standing collaboration with GKAS exemplifies this commitment and highlights the power of public‑private partnerships in advancing oral health equity for children and underserved populations.
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