20th Annual Give Kids A Smile benefits Houston community children

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry provided over $86,000 of free care to 135 uninsured, underserved children from the Houston community during the 20th Annual Give Kids A Smile on Feb. 23.

Care during the event was provided by fourth-year dental and second-year dental hygiene students and residents specializing in pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, and endodontics, completing 903 procedures valued at $86,541.

With a focus on prevention, children in need received a teeth cleaning, fluoride treatment, and sealant application to help protect against cavities. Patients also received diagnostic imaging and oral hygiene instructions, and, in several necessary cases, patients received restorations and simple extractions.

The children in need were identified by community partners, Communities in Schools-Houston and San Jose Clinic, and were accompanied by a parent, guardian, or proxy. A pre-screening event took place at San Jose Clinic in January.

“At our ‘Give Kids A Smile’ event, we bridged the gap between access to care and the foundational right to oral care,” said Raha Naderi, RDH, MEd, assistant professor and director of community outreach. “By illuminating the vital connection between oral health and overall health, we not only brighten young smiles but also foster a healthier future for our community. Together, we’re planting seeds of health, hope, and happiness in the hearts of children.”

Give Kids A Smile featured a visit from the tooth fairy, who posed for photos and handed out balloons to participants. The event also coincided with Go Texan Day, with many student providers wearing boots and scrubs and additional western wear worn by support staff.

Participants ranged in age from 5-18 years old, and for many, this annual event marked their first dental visit.

At the end of their visit, children received goodie bags containing a free toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, as well as information on healthy teeth and how to find a dental home at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry or a community clinic.

The School of Dentistry has provided this annual event since 2003, when the American Dental Association Foundation launched the Give Kids A Smile program nationally as a way for dentists to join with other oral health professionals in their communities to provide dental services to children in need.

Delta Dental Community Care Foundation served as the event’s sponsor, with many representatives on hand volunteering.

Medicor Imaging provided backend provider support. Using their dental imaging system, MiPACS, a centralized, “charity care” digital environment was created for interoperability between the School of Dentistry’s first- and second-floor clinical space used during Give Kids A Smile. MiPACS’ image analysis and processing tools assisted in the workflow and treatment plan of each child.