The ADA’s Give A Smile Program provided free oral health education and services to over 7 million underserved children.
The American Dental Association celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Give Kids A Smile program, which provides free oral health care education and services to underserved children in the U.S.
In 2022, the ADA has scheduled nearly 1,000 events throughout the U.S. and estimates that 300,000 children will receive free oral health education and services like cleanings and fillings.
The services will be provided by more than 20,000 dental team volunteers using supplies donated by Henry Schein, Colgate-Palmolive, and the ADA’s supplier partners.
Since the program’s inception, Henry Schein has served as the exclusive professional product sponsor. Colgate-Palmolive has served as the exclusive sponsor of health and hygiene consumer products since 2007.
Henry Schein’s support has included donations from its supplier partners, contributing to the $20 million in oral health care products made available to the program, and thousands of hours preparing and sending more than 40,000 dental kits.
Supplier partners supporting the 2022 Give Kids A Smile program through product donations also include 3M, Centrix, DASH Medical, Dentsply Sirona, DMG America, Dukal Corporation, Medicom, PacDent, Premier, Richmond, Sempermed USA, Sunstar, TIDI Products, and WaterPik.
“What began as a grassroots effort has become a national movement to ensure access to quality health care for all children,” said Cesar Sabates, DDS, president of the ADA. “The success of GKAS would not be possible without the nearly 37,000 dental professionals who volunteer at local events each year in addition to national sponsors, Henry Schein and Colgate, and long-time supporters like the ADA Foundation.”
Photo courtesy of the ADA
