Brevard County, Fla. — Children across Florida’s Space Coast will be able to receive free dental care this weekend as part of a nationwide public health effort, while Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) continues to expand its dental clinic to meet growing community needs.
On Saturday, February 7, the Brevard County Dental Society will partner with Eastern Florida State College to host the American Dental Association’s Give Kids A Smile event. The program, launched nationally in 2003 by the ADA Foundation, aims to provide essential oral health services to children who may otherwise lack access to care.
The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the EFSC Dental Clinic on the Cocoa Campus, located at 1519 Clearlake Road, Building 20, Health Sciences Room 1118. Volunteer dentists, hygienists, and dental team members will donate their time to serve children ages 3 to 14 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participating children will receive dental examinations, professional cleanings, cavity-preventing sealants, and oral hygiene education for both children and families. The event focuses on preventive care and will not include fillings, extractions, or ongoing treatment. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide informed consent.
Organizers say the annual effort helps address persistent gaps in access to dental care, particularly for low-income families. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 57 million Americans were affected by dental health professional shortages in 2024, and dental care remains unaffordable for many households.
The Give Kids A Smile event comes as EFSC advances a major expansion of its dental clinic and training programs. The college has launched a $7.8 million initiative to relocate and upgrade its dental hygiene and dental assisting programs into a larger, renovated Health Sciences Building on the Cocoa Campus.
The expansion will increase clinic space from 7,000 to 13,000 square feet and raise the number of dental stations from 12 to 30, allowing students to serve two to three times more patients. The project is designed to double student capacity while significantly expanding access to low-cost dental services for the community.
EFSC is seeking $3.3 million in state funding matched by $3.3 million in federal support, with the remaining $1.2 million expected from local community partners, including a funding request under review by the Space Coast Health Foundation. The initiative has garnered backing from state and federal lawmakers, local governments, and economic development leaders.
College President Dr. Jim Richey said the project represents a strategic investment in both workforce development and public health on the Space Coast. Program leaders added that new technology, including 3D printing and scanning equipment, will enhance student training and allow for expanded services such as dentures and bridges.
EFSC’s dental clinic currently provides affordable preventive care to children and seniors, including cleanings, X-rays, sealants, and fluoride treatments. However, limited space has led to growing waitlists, prompting the need for expansion.
Community leaders say the upgraded dental clinic will reduce barriers to care, improve health outcomes, and help meet rising demand for dental professionals in Florida’s growing population.