About Give Kids A Smile

The Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) program, launched nationally in 2003, provides underserved children with free oral health care. Each year approximately 6,500 dentists and 30,000 dental team members volunteer at local GKAS events to provide free oral health education, screenings, preventive and restorative treatment to over 300,000 children.

GKAS Info Flyer (PDF)
GKAS Logo and a child patient being treated

Give Kids A Smile

Give Kids A Smile Day

GKAS events kick off annually on the first Friday in February, which is Give Kids A Smile Day. GKAS events are held throughout the year.


Give Kids A Smile Vision
To ensure access to quality oral healthcare for all children.
History of Give Kids A Smile

In 2002, Drs. Jeff Dalin and B. Ray Storm held the first Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) event in a run-down, soon-to-be-demolished dental clinic in St. Louis, where 15 patient chairs were scraped together to deliver free dental care to nearly 400 children.

The ADA recognized that this grassroots effort had great potential to raise awareness nationally about the importance of oral health to overall health, and about the staggering need that exists among millions of children who go without care. So, in 2003, Give Kids A Smile evolved into a nationwide program with the goal of providing free oral health care to underserved children.

GKAS National Advisory Committee Members

Betsey Baumann-Smeenge, DDS, MS
GKAS Ambassador

Ann Bruck
Global Scientific Affairs and Education Leader 3M Oral Care Solutions Division

Jeffrey B. Dalin, DDS
GKAS Ambassador
Co-Founder, GKAS St. Louis

Jennifer Kim Field
Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Henry Schein Inc. and
Executive Director, Henry Schein Cares Foundation

Dawna Michelle Fields
Director - Operations & Community Affairs
Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program
Colgate-Palmolive Company

Karin Irani, DDS, JD
ADA Board of Trustee Member

David M. Krol, MD, MPH, FAAP
American Academy of Pediatrics member

James Mancini, DMD
GKAS Ambassador

Angela Martinez
VP, Strategic Associations and Dental Health Policy
CareCredit

Michael D. Medovic, DDS
ADA Board of Trustee Member

Amy Moorman, IOM
Vice President, Operations
Dental Trade Alliance

Megha Sata, DDS
GKAS Ambassador


GKAS Frequently Asked Questions

I'm interested in bringing my child to a Give Kids A Smile event. How can I find one near me?

Please call 1.844.490.GKAS to find out if there’s a GKAS event happening near you. Learn more about free or low-cost resources for your children’s dental care.

I want to host a Give Kids A Smile event. How do I get started?

After you’ve reviewed the Give Kids a Smile Program Planning Toolbox, you can register your program on our sign-up page.

If you have any questions about hosting a GKAS event, you can email us at gkas@ada.org.

I’m a dental professional who would like to participate in a Give Kids A Smile event. How can I find a local event to volunteer at?

We can help match you with events happening in your area. Please contact us at gkas@ada.org to let us know your city and state to get started. For a listing of GKAS events by state, please visit our state summary reports page.

How do I identify children qualified to receive care during my Give Kids A Smile event?

There are a number of organizations and groups that can help you identify children in need of dental services. View more about these organizations and groups.

May I use the Give Kids A Smile logo?

The Give Kids A Smile logo is a registered service mark of the American Dental Association and as such is only available for use in support of registered Give Kids A Smile programs.

Give Kids A Smile program coordinators: If your program is already registered, please log in to download the logo. Once signed in, the "logo" option will appear in the top navigation.

If your program is not registered, please log in to sign up your program and gain access to the logo files.

If you are not signing up a GKAS program and would like to request the logo for some other use, please contact the GKAS team directly with your request at gkas@ada.org (please provide information regarding how you would like to use the logo).

What’s included in the Give Kids A Smile product kit?

The contents of each Give Kids A Smile product kit is determined by your event type. Below are the contents of the product kits.

Education Kit #1 (treats up to 50 kids)
Colgate Children’s Toothbrush
Colgate Children’s Toothpaste
Oral health education cards
Plastic bags with GKAS logo
Earloop Masks

Screening Kit #2 (treats up to 50 kids)
Colgate Children’s Toothbrush
Colgate Children’s Toothpaste
Oral health education cards
Plastic bags with GKAS logo
Gowns (5)
Fluoride varnish
Gauze sponges
GKAS Banner

Preventive/Restorative Kit #3 (two sizes - treats 25 or 50 kids)
Colgate Children’s Toothbrush
Colgate Children’s Toothpaste
Oral health education cards
Plastic bags with GKAS logo
3M Sealant Kits (2)
Prophy angles
Prophy paste
Earloop masks
Gowns (5)
Fluoride varnish
Gauze sponges
Plastic cups
GKAS Banner

What are the sign-up dates for requesting Give Kids A Smile product kits for an event?

Product requests for GKAS events can be done online October 1 through November 15.

I’m located outside of the U.S. Can I participate in GKAS and receive product kits?

You may participate; however, you will not be able to receive products from our corporate sponsors. Product kits can only be shipped within the U.S.

Who do I contact with additional questions?

Please direct any questions you may still have to gkas@ada.org.