The American Dental Association Foundation (ADAF) has officially launched Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) 2026 at the UTHealth Houston school of dentistry, marking 24 years of improving children’s lives through this nationwide oral healthcare access initiative. What began as a local grassroots effort in St Louis, Missouri, has since grown into a national movement, providing care to more than 10.2 million underserved children since 2003.
GKAS launches nationally each Feb in conjunction with National Children’s Dental Health Month, with events continuing throughout the year. These vital oral health services are made possible through the dedication of tens of thousands of dental professionals who volunteer their time and expertise.
“Hosting the national launch of GKAS is a historic moment for UTHealth Houston school of dentistry and strongly reinforces our mission to improve oral and overall health through compassionate, community-focused care,” said Raha K Naderi RDH MEd, director of community outreach at the school of dentistry. “GKAS is more than a one-day event; it is a springboard for lifelong oral health. Every child we serve leaves not only with a healthier smile, but also with a clear pathway to ongoing care.”
2026: A year of scale
Across the US, the 2026 GKAS programme is mobilising to address significant unmet need, with an estimated:
• 325,000 children expected to receive free oral health education, dental screenings, cleanings, and preventive and/or restorative treatment
• 1,200 events hosted nationwide across dental practices, medical and dental clinics, schools and community organisations
• 23,000 volunteers including dentists and dental team members, donating their time and skills
“Give Kids A Smile is a national public–private collaboration that helps ensure access to quality oral healthcare for all children,” said Dr Rita Cammarata, chair of the ADA Foundation. “Given that dental disease remains the leading cause of school absence among children, GKAS plays a vital role in improving children’s daily wellbeing. We are deeply grateful to the volunteers and sponsors whose support will continue to improve young lives for years to come.”
Powered by partnerships
The scale and impact of GKAS are made possible through the support of exclusive national sponsors who provide the resources required to deliver care.
Henry Schein: The foundation of care
Henry Schein has served as the programme’s exclusive professional product sponsor since its inception, contributing more than $20m in products in collaboration with its supplier partners. In 2026 alone, Team Schein has prepared over 2,600 dental kits to support volunteers delivering care.
“Together, we will continue to champion a critical mission: expanding access to essential oral healthcare for all,” said Steven Kizy, vice-president and general manager of Henry Schein’s US Dental Group.
Henry Schein’s long-standing support of GKAS reflects the mission of Henry Schein Cares, the company’s global corporate social responsibility initiative. Through strategic partnerships and purpose-driven action, Henry Schein Cares aims to deliver positive, sustainable change worldwide across five key pillars: expanding healthcare access; advancing policy, solutions and innovation; building relationships for change; empowering Team Schein; and supporting environmental sustainability.
In 2026, Henry Schein Cares celebrates 25 years of impact, reaffirming the company’s commitment to improving access to care, strengthening communities and helping to create a healthier world. Its continued collaboration with GKAS highlights the power of public-private partnerships in advancing oral health equity for children and underserved populations.
Colgate-Palmolive: Supporting oral health education and resources
Since 2007, Colgate-Palmolive has supported GKAS as the exclusive sponsor of essential health and hygiene products designed to encourage good oral hygiene habits. This support reflects the company’s purpose of reimagining a healthier future for all.
Colgate brings this commitment to life through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures programme, which has reached approximately two billion children and families worldwide since 1991 through oral health education, free dental screenings and treatment referrals. Colgate-Palmolive has also recently announced a new multi-year partnership with the WHO Foundation, aimed at scaling oral health education, integrating oral health interventions into national health systems and raising global awareness of the importance of oral health.
“Colgate is proud to support GKAS as we work to engage more children and families through essential oral health education and free dental screenings,” said Dawna Michelle Fields, senior director of Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures. “Together, we can help create a world of bright smiles and even brighter futures.”
A community effort
The 2026 GKAS programme is further supported by a committed group of supplier partners, including Ansell, Centrix, DMG Blockchain Solutions, Dukal, Haleon, Perrigo, Solventum and Sunstar Group.
All images courtesy of Henry Schein.
