Give Seniors a Smile connects older adults with essential dental care

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry students and residents provided free care during the second annual Given Kids a Smile. Photo by Meagan Tape/UTHealth Houston Creative Services.

Hattie Moore, 88 (second from left), was one of over 100 seniors to receive care during Give Seniors a Smile at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. Photo by Daniel Palomba/UTHealth Houston Creative Services.

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry provided more than $56,000 in free dental care to 104 seniors from across the Greater Houston area during the second annual Give Seniors a Smile event on June 26.

During the daylong outreach event, providers delivered 558 treatments valued at $56,406, helping address oral health needs for older adults.

“Give Seniors a Smile reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring older adults have access to quality oral health care, regardless of financial or other barriers,” said Raha K. Naderi, RDH, MEd, assistant professor and director of community outreach at the School of Dentistry. “As this event continues to grow, we’re not only addressing immediate dental needs, but also connecting seniors with resources and follow-up care that can support their oral health and overall well-being long after the day is over.”

Dental and dental hygiene students from the Class of 2027, along with faculty, staff, and residents from the Advanced Education in Endodontics, Advanced Education in General Dentistry, General Practice Residency, and Advanced Education in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery programs, provided care throughout the event.

Care focused on prevention, restoration, and urgent concerns, including comprehensive exams, diagnostic imaging, teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments, and oral hygiene instruction. When necessary, providers also performed restorative procedures, endodontic treatment, and extractions.

Patients first received diagnostic assessments and X-rays before being triaged and assigned to dental students, dental hygiene students, or resident providers based on their individual needs.

Making a difference

For many participants, Give Seniors a Smile was more than a day of free dental care. It was an opportunity to build trust between patients and future providers, as well as establish a path to ongoing care.

“Give Seniors a Smile is a reminder that our role as providers extends beyond the walls of the dental school,” said Peyton Cain, a dental student. “By serving older adults in our community, we see firsthand the impact we can make and gain experiences that will help us provide more compassionate care throughout our careers.”

For dental hygiene students, the day reinforced the importance of prevention and patient education through one-on-one interactions with seniors.

“For many patients, the biggest impact we can make is helping them feel comfortable and confident in their dental care,” said Sahand Naghipour, a dental hygiene student. “A lot of patients come in nervous because of past experiences or because it has been some time since their last dental visit, but seeing that change — leaving with a smile and a better understanding of their oral health — is what makes this experience so rewarding.”

For Hattie Moore, 88, the experience was about more than receiving treatment. It was the compassion she encountered throughout the day that left the greatest impression.

“It was really nice,” said Moore, a first-time Give Seniors a Smile participant. “They were so good to me. I thanked them for being so nice because when people treat you with kindness, it makes you feel real good.”

Moore received two fillings during her visit and said she plans to return to the School of Dentistry for future care.

Many patients also received referrals for additional services, including partial dentures, dentures, crowns, bridges, root canals, and other specialty procedures. Follow-up arrangements were made for those requiring continued treatment through the School of Dentistry’s clinics.

Community partners helping connect seniors with the event included BakerRipley, Fifth Ward Baptist, KTSU Senior Health Services, MD Anderson Family YMCA, Meals on Wheels Montgomery County, One Church at Bethel’s Family, Fountain of Praise, Santa Maria Hostel, and the UTHealth Houston Institute on Aging.

Representatives from the Institute on Aging were also on-site to share resources and programs available to seniors and their families.

Advanced training, greater impact

Residents working alongside students and faculty helped expand the scope of care available during the event.

“Give Seniors a Smile is a reminder of why so many of us chose dentistry,” said Tania Abedi, DMD, a resident in Advanced Education in General Dentistry. “Residency has taught me so much, and it’s rewarding to help guide students while sharing what I’ve learned and serving our community.”

At the conclusion of their visits, patients received goodie bags containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and educational materials about maintaining oral health and establishing a dental home at the School of Dentistry or a community clinic.

Give Seniors a Smile was supported by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California and its affiliates. Chick-fil-A and Jason’s Deli provided food for participants and volunteers.

Clinical operations were supported by MiPACS by Apryse, which enabled centralized imaging and seamless coordination across clinical spaces.