600+ Volunteers Bring Free Dental Care and Education to Nearly 250 Area Children
ST. LOUIS (Oct. 29, 2026) … For children suffering from untreated dental disease, a healthy smile can mean finally being able to sleep, eat properly, focus in school and smile with confidence. That was the focus on Oct. 16 and 17 as Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) brought hundreds of dental professionals, volunteers and community partners together to provide free dental care and oral health education to nearly 250 St. Louis-area children in need.
The two-day clinic at Saint Louis University’s Center for Advanced Dental Education provided preventive and restorative care for children whose families face financial hardship, lack of insurance, transportation challenges or difficulty finding a dental provider who accepts Medicaid. GKAS also offered education, oral hygiene supplies and resources to help support oral health beyond the clinic.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, confident and free from preventable dental disease,” said Dr. Kourtenay Green, executive director of Give Kids A Smile. “As we celebrate 25 years of bringing the community together to improve children’s oral health, we’re reminded just how life-changing access to care can be.”
Dozens of community partners supported the clinic. Delta Dental of Missouri contributed a $30,000 grant and home-care kits, with additional support from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust, Dr. and Mrs. Marshall S. Manne, American Direct, Evernorth Health Services, Missouri Baptist Healthcare Foundation, Otto Orthodontics, Thousand CPA, Patterson Dental and Henry Schein®. Build-A-Bear Workshop donated bears to clinic patients, while Saturday’s party room featured face painting, balloon art, music and other activities.
“Too many children face financial, geographic and accessibility barriers to dental care,” said Stacy Harris, executive director of community impact at Delta Dental of Missouri. “Supporting Give Kids A Smile is just one more way we can improve oral health and build healthier communities.”
The next GKAS clinic will be held on February 19 and 20, 2027. Visit www.gkas.org for details and information on when registration will open at the end of the year.
