09 April 2025

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Dental school’s free kids clinic provides both immediate and long-lasting benefits

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The children who attended the “Give Kids a Smile” clinic Saturday at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry received more than just free and immediate dental care.

Beyond fixing cavities, taking x-rays and applying sealants to protect teeth, U-M dental students also made a point of having fun with the kids to show them there is nothing to be scared of when  “going to the dentist.” It’s an investment in making the kids comfortable in the dental chair for their future trips, while also providing education for the kids and their parents about the importance of good brushing and flossing habits that will make each of their winning smiles last a lifetime.

Children ages 4-14 from around southeast Michigan were brought to the dental school by their parents and guardians for dental care during this annual event. About 135 student volunteers, 12 faculty and residents, and about 20 staff members provided the care in clinics decorated with an “under the sea” theme.

Dental and dental hygiene students and faculty provided dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, sealants, fillings and extractions for about 80 children. Upper-level dental students, under the supervision of faculty, performed the basic dental care. If more serious problems were discovered, the patients were referred to their family dentist or other specialists.

The “Give Kids a Smile” clinic, known as GKAS for short, is organized by students. The planning committee this year included third-year students Samhita Sunkara, Sarah Jobe and Jacob Bommarito, and second-year student Sydney Mosteller.

“Give Kids a Smile Day is our school’s opportunity to have a lasting impact on the children we see,” Sunkara said. “Early preventative dental visits are critical not only to identify a child’s current oral health concerns, but also to establish healthy habits that will lead to a lifetime of good oral hygiene and overall oral health.”

The event is open to any family in the region, but organizers also promote the event through various organizations and agencies in the Ann Arbor and Detroit areas that serve families and children who do not have access to regular dental care. “We want this event to serve as many children and families as possible, but this event is especially beneficial to families who face barriers in accessing routine, quality healthcare,” Sunkara said. “Many families who find us through such organizations love to come back every year, and it is super rewarding to see how comfortable these children become over the years in the dental setting, and to see how our care impacts their overall wellbeing throughout the years.”

The dental school’s Give Kids a Smile event is part of a nationwide initiative started by the American Dental Association (ADA) and its foundation in 2003. The dental school’s co-sponsors are the Washtenaw District Dental Society, ADA Foundation Give Kids a Smile, Michigan Dental Association, and Henry Schein Dental.

Source: https://news.dent.umich.edu/