19 May 2026

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Miles for Smiles raises a record more than $24K

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The University of Texas at Dallas Pre-Dental Association students (left to right) Kamel Elkardri, vice president; Rina Bestawrous, president; Stuti Patel, fundraising coordinator; and Rushil Girdhar, social coordinator, lead the opening ceremony for the annual Miles for Smiles festivities.

Community impact

There’s still some time before they pick up their first dental drills, but students from The University of Texas at Dallas have made a positive impact on patient care already. UTD Pre-Dental Association’s annual Miles for Smiles fundraiser and fun-activities event raised a record $24,673 for Texas A&M College of Dentistry’s patients in need.

Nearly 100 UTD students gathered April 19 at Exall Park in Dallas to celebrate the culmination of six months of fundraising for A&M Dentistry’s Social Services Dental Fund, which assists patients who’ve run out of money before their treatments are finished in the dental clinics. Through a combination of campus bake and craft sales at UTD’s student union and outreach to businesses, including area dental offices, the predental students surpassed the initial $10,000 goal and exceeded the association’s previous record of more than $20,000 set in 2024.

About 30 businesses provided money or raffle items for the cause, said Emily Tran, the association’s media coordinator. Top sponsors were Canyon Creek Family Dentistry, Murphy Dental and Implant Center, Blue Ocean Capital, FunBookShelf, Premier Health Chiropractic & Wellness, Badger Studios, Smile Design Dental and the University of North Texas’ Pre-Dental Society.

Why it matters

“Every year, we are passionate and motivated to make a dental difference in our Dallas-Fort Worth community, improving oral health for all,” Tran said. “We wanted to give back to our community, and it’s amazing to reflect on the impact we can have when we work together.”

Tran said challenges and dares among the association’s membership helped drive some of this year’s fundraising.

“Since we hit our $20,000 goal, all of the male officers decided to dye their hair blonde,” she said.

“Every year, we are passionate and motivated to make a dental difference in our Dallas-Fort Worth community, improving oral health for all. We wanted to give back to our community, and it’s amazing to reflect on the impact we can have when we work together.”

Academic context

Emily Tran, media coordinator for The University of Texas at Dallas Pre-Dental Association

The association has supported the fund since 2008. The money raised closes financial gaps and ensures dental students can complete patients’ essential treatment needs, said Tony Keller, program coordinator in public health sciences at A&M Dentistry, who attended Miles for Smiles festivities. A&M Dentistry has served patients in North Texas for 120 years and offers oral health care at discounted rates in its clinics. To serve more patients, the college recently dropped dental care deposit fees for adults.

Tony Keller and Angela Wilson, program coordinators in public health sciences at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, cheered on the competitors at Miles for Smiles.

Michelle Wu, president of the Class of 2027 dental students, said the fund helped one of her patients, a single mother caring for two children while also supporting a parent with significant health challenges. The patient required extensive care, including tooth decay and periodontal disease control, as well as multiple crowns.

“The aid allowed her to get out of pain and have a smile she is proud of,” Wu said.

Also attending the Miles for Smiles event from A&M Dentistry were Dr. Hoda Abdellatif, clinical associate professor and director of the Office of Community Outreach in public health sciences; Angela Wilson, program coordinator in public health sciences; and third-year dental students Ethan Chang and Youngjun Lee.

The association’s male officers Jason Ly, event coordinator; Girdhar; Jaden Choi, event coordinator; and Elkadri, all dyed their hair when fundraising for Miles for Smiles reached $20,000.

Source: https://insights.dentistry.tamu.edu/miles-for-smiles-sets-record-with-more-than-24k