Access to consistent, quality dental care remains a significant challenge for many families, often creating a barrier to the foundational oral health that is crucial for a child’s overall well-being. Addressing this critical community need, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Dentistry is preparing to host its landmark 10th annual Give Kids A Smile event, a day dedicated to providing essential dental services at no cost to local children. Scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Delta Dental of Tennessee Building, this initiative is part of a broader national effort led by the American Dental Association. For a decade, the event has stood as a testament to the college’s unwavering mission to serve the community while fostering a patient-first ethos. The program not only delivers immediate care but also aims to instill positive dental habits, helping to prevent future health complications and ensuring that children can learn, grow, and thrive with a healthy smile. The day represents a powerful collaboration between students, faculty, and community partners, all united by the common goal of making a tangible difference.
A Decade of Dedication to Community Smiles
The core of the Give Kids A Smile event is its direct and meaningful impact on the student population of Memphis, with over 100 children from Freedom Preparatory Academy and Bellevue Middle School set to receive comprehensive care this year. The event serves a dual purpose, functioning as both a vital community clinic and an invaluable hands-on training ground for the next generation of dental professionals. UTHSC’s dental and dental hygiene students, operating under the close and diligent supervision of licensed faculty members, will perform a variety of preventive and restorative treatments. These services are designed to address immediate needs and promote long-term oral health, encompassing professional cleanings, fluoride applications, and basic restorative procedures. A significant component of the day is dedicated to oral health education, where children are taught proper brushing and flossing techniques and given information about nutrition to empower them to take control of their own dental hygiene. This symbiotic relationship ensures that while children receive high-quality, compassionate care, the UTHSC students gain critical clinical experience in a real-world setting that reinforces the importance of community service in their future careers.
Expanding Access and Building Dental Homes
Marking its tenth anniversary, the program celebrated a significant milestone by expanding its reach beyond its established school partnerships for the first time. In a move to broaden its community impact, the event made a limited number of appointments available to younger children from the general public. This strategic expansion was guided by a vision to help more families establish a “dental home”—a consistent and reliable source for their children’s oral care needs. Dr. Cassandra Christiansen, Director of School-Based Programs, noted that this initiative was designed to welcome a wider range of families into a supportive healthcare environment. The successful growth of the event was made possible through the crucial support of community sponsors, including Delta Dental and Renaissance Benefits, which contributed by providing essential oral hygiene kits for the children to take home. College leadership reflected on the program’s enduring success, attributing its decade-long run to the profound passion and unwavering dedication demonstrated by the students, staff, and faculty who have volunteered their time and expertise year after year to serve the community.
