UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry selected as national kickoff site for Give Kids A Smile 2026

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry has been selected by the American Dental Association (ADA) as the 2026 national kickoff site for the Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) program — marking the first time the school will host the nationwide launch of this celebrated outreach initiative.

The School of Dentistry’s 22nd annual GKAS event will take place on Feb. 6, 2026, during National Children’s Dental Health Month, continuing a tradition of more than two decades of service to children in need. Since first hosting the event in 2003, the dental school has provided more than 1,000 uninsured children with free dental care, preventive education, and connections to long-term dental homes.

Launched nationally by the ADA and managed by the ADA Foundation, GKAS provides underserved children free oral health care services through the efforts of approximately 6,500 dentists and 30,000 dental team members each year. These volunteers provide screenings, preventive and restorative treatments, and oral health education to more than 300,000 children annually.

Give Kids A Smile is nationally sponsored by Colgate and Henry Schein. Through their generosity, GKAS programs receive free oral health product kits for their events that include oral health education materials, toothbrushes, toothpaste, gloves, masks, fluoride varnish, sealants, and other donated items.

As part of the national program, the School of Dentistry’s event will also host Tiny Smiles, an initiative within Give Kids A Smile that highlights the importance of caring for children’s teeth from the very start — ages 0 to 5. The program equips families with the knowledge and confidence to build healthy habits that support a lifetime of oral health.

“Being chosen as the national kickoff site is a tremendous honor that underscores our commitment to improving 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 an event — it’s a springboard for lifelong oral health. Every child we treat leaves not only with a healthier smile but with a clear path to continued care.”

The 2026 event will aim to serve an estimated 250 children from across the Greater Houston and Galveston areas, nearly doubling the number reached in 2025.

Children will receive comprehensive dental exams, preventive services including cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and silver diamine fluoride, as well as restorative and endodontic procedures, limited surgical treatments, oral health education, nutritional counseling, and guidance on establishing a long-term dental home. These services will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team of more than 200 students, residents, faculty, and staff.

In partnership with organizations such as Communities In Schools of Houston, the CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare, the YMCA, and other community partners, the School of Dentistry identifies children most in need of dental services and coordinates transportation to ensure equitable access.

Beyond the operatory, GKAS creates a joyful experience through activities such as face painting, art stations, a photo booth, and pet therapy — helping children associate dental care with comfort, confidence, and celebration.

“For more than 20 years, Give Kids A Smile has been a cornerstone of our outreach mission, reflecting our vision of ‘Improving Oral Health, Improving Overall Health,’” said Shalizeh A. “Shelly” Patel, DDS, MEd, associate dean for patient care. “Hosting the 2026 national kickoff honors our leadership in service, education, and community impact, and celebrates the power of collaboration in putting children first.”

Patel added the event also demonstrates the School of Dentistry’s collective effort, showing how dental education, organized dentistry, and community partnerships can inspire the next generation of dental professionals to lead with compassion, service, and innovation.

To learn more about the GKAS program, visit ADAFoundation.org/GKAS.