25 March 2026

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Giving kids a great smile – and maintaining it – is focus of annual clinic at School of Dentistry

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For the last two decades, students and faculty at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry have hosted an annual free clinic for children in the Ann Arbor area. Although every year brings changes with a new set of dental students, faculty, and young patients and their parents arriving on a Saturday morning, one thing remains the same – promoting the importance of early and regular dental care for children.

At this year’s “Give Kids a Smile” clinic on Feb. 14, dental and dental hygiene students and faculty provided dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, sealants, fillings and extractions for about 60 children from ages 4-14. Third- and fourth-year 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.

Student volunteers organize the event, called GKAS for short, with a focus making it kid-friendly with a fun theme to help alleviate anxiety the children may have about going to the dentist. This year featured a “Fantasyland” theme, with wall decorations of friendly dragons, fairies, castles and colorful balloons welcoming the kids.

Faculty member Dr. Larry Salzmann, director of the predoctoral program in pediatric dentistry and clinic director for pediatric dentistry, said GKAS is important for both the community and the dental school. The obvious plus is that the children receive immediate check-ups and cleanings. Another benefit is that the fun atmosphere works to encourage their future dental visits. Students and faculty also use the day to educate parents about the proper care of their children’s developing teeth. For the dental school, students have an additional opportunity to enhance their communication and dentistry experience with younger patients than they usually see during their clinical training.

“The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest that kids have their first dental visit before their first birthday,” Salzmann said. “That’s not because we think there will be problems, but because it’s a great opportunity to talk to the families about preventative measures and how they can do good home care so that things don’t get out of control with their child’s teeth.”

“The earlier we start the dental examinations, the more familiar the kids are with the routine,” Salzmann said. “With that experience, as they grow older, it’s easier for them to say, ‘Oh, I need to go get my teeth checked,’ and they feel comfortable with it. When they wait until they are 6 or older, things get a little scarier for the kids. We try to instill in families to bring them in sooner so that familiarity and that comfort level can be developed.”

Sydney Mosteller, a third-year dental student on the organizing committee for the event, said GKAS is a fun way to get more experience meeting the dental needs of children.

“Give Kids A Smile Day truly is a special day,” Mosteller said. “Almost everyone I talked to – from staff members to students – agrees it’s one of their favorite events we hold at the school. Seeing how excited the children are when they walk into the clinic brings out the kid in all of us. And it is meaningful because we’re able to screen children for dental disease who might not otherwise have the opportunity because of cost or lack of access to a dentist.”

Another important aspect, she said, is helping children learn that going to the dentist is a good thing. “It is so important to give young kids a positive experience going to the dentist, and to provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to keep their mouths healthy,” Mosteller said.

About 170 volunteers – students, faculty, graduate residents and staff – were organized this year by Mosteller and team members Samantha Banning, Nicole Baum and Aaron Norfleet. The event is open to any family in the region, but organizers also promote the event through various local organizations and agencies that serve families and children who do not have access to regular dental care.

The dental school’s Give Kids a Smile event is part of a nationwide initiative started by the American Dental Association and its foundation in 2003. The local event is also supported by the School of Dentistry, the Michigan Dental Association, the Washtenaw District Dental Society, dental supply company Henry Schein, and Ann Arbor-based Katherine’s Catering.

Source: https://dent.umich.edu/