South West Illinois News

Illinois dentists are coming together to give children in need a reason to smile. The Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) Program, launched nationally in 2003 by the American Dental Association (ADA), aims to provide free oral health education, screenings, and treatment to over 300,000 children each year. With the support of over 6,000 dentists and 30,000 dental team members, GKAS events are held throughout the year, including all across Illinois.

The program's roots can be traced back to the Greater St. Louis Dental Society, where a group of dentists set up a temporary clinic in 2002 and treated nearly 400 children over two days. Recognizing the potential impact of this initiative, the program was coordinated through the ADA, and the Give Kids a Smile name was born.

February holds special significance for the GKAS Program, as it coincides with National Children's Dental Health Month. Nineteen years ago, the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Dentistry held its first Give Kids a Smile Day event. Today, the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the university is the largest Medicaid provider of pediatric oral health care services in Illinois, with over 20,000 patient visits in 2022. Through community outreach efforts, children without access to dental care can receive the necessary diagnostics, preventive, and restorative treatments they need.

Across the state, various dental schools and organizations are actively participating in the GKAS Program. The Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville School of Dental Medicine holds an annual Give Kids a Smile Day, offering comprehensive dental care to over 100 children. Services provided include exams, x-rays, cleanings, crowns, fillings, and extractions, all delivered by faculty, students, staff, and volunteer dental professionals from SIU SDM.

In DuPage County, the DuPage County Health Department has been joining forces with the ADA to observe Give Kids a Smile Day. Dentists provide free dental screenings to school-aged children, with over 2,400 procedures performed for 660 children over the past eight years. This year's Give Kids a Smile Day in DuPage County is set for Friday, March 1, 2024.

Quincy has been an active participant in the GKAS Program since 2007. Although the format has changed over the years, with children receiving care on different days throughout the year, the impact remains significant. In 2020 alone, over 2,000 children received nearly $900,000 worth of free dental care in Quincy.

Carbondale also hosts an annual Give Kids a Smile Day through the SIU-Carbondale Dental Hygiene Program. In 2023, 75 children received a full range of dental services, including cleanings, x-rays, sealants, and fluoride treatments. This year's event is scheduled for Friday, March 1, 2024, and is open to children ages infant to 15 who do not have access to regular dental care.

Even private dental practices have joined the cause. Century Dental of Huntley has been participating in Give Kids a Smile Day since 2007. Every February, the facility closes its doors to the public for a day to provide complimentary dental services to children from low-income families. The services offered include dental exams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, oral hygiene instruction, and nutritional counseling.

The impact of the Give Kids a Smile Program goes beyond providing dental care. It plays a vital role in improving a child's future by giving them access to oral health care. Looking ahead, the ADA is exploring ways to inspire future programs that help those in need. New initiatives, such as the Give Veterans a Smile program, are currently being researched and considered.

As Illinois dentists continue to come together through the Give Kids a Smile Program, they are making a tangible difference in the lives of children in need. By providing free dental services and promoting oral health education, these dedicated professionals are giving children a reason to smile and ensuring a healthier future for all.