VCU School of Dentistry Provides Free Dental Care to Children in Need Through Give Kids a Smile

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry expanded its reach during its annual Give Kids A Smile event, providing free dental care to underinsured children in the Richmond, Virginia area. This year’s event marked a significant increase in the number of children served and the value of care provided.

Expanded Access to Care

For the first time, patients were seen at both the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Children’s Pavilion and the Pediatric Dentistry at Northside Clinic, increasing access to free dental care within the community. The downtown location focused on restorative care, while the Northside Clinic primarily offered preventative dental care delivered by dental hygiene students.

Record Number of Patients Treated

Held on February 20, 2026, the annual event brought together dental and dental hygiene students, residents, and pediatric dentistry faculty who volunteered their time to provide comprehensive care at no cost to families. Services included dental exams, prophylaxis treatments, cleanings, sealant applications, tooth extractions, and crown placements. With the additional space provided by the two locations, the School of Dentistry treated 119 patients, a significant increase from the 80 patients served last year. Volunteers delivered approximately $74,000 in donated care.

A Positive Dental Experience

Paula Coates, D.D.S., M.S., an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry since 2021, has been a long-time participant in Give Kids A Smile. She emphasizes the importance of creating positive first experiences with dental care for children. “So many of them come to us having no concept of what it is like to be a dental patient, and it is our job to fill those blank slates with positive experiences,” Coates said. “Their innocence is infectious! It is very powerful to be able to teach them and help them understand that oral health and visiting the dentist is important, fun and not scary while they are young.”

Addressing Barriers to Dental Care

Give Kids A Smile addresses significant challenges faced by low-income families in accessing dental care. These challenges include difficulty qualifying for programs like Medicaid, shortages of dental providers accepting Medicaid, language barriers, transportation difficulties, and the high cost of dental treatment. Tooth decay is the leading chronic disease affecting school-age children, and poor oral health can lead to missed school days and lower grades .

Student Involvement and Education

Students play a crucial role in organizing and running Give Kids A Smile, gaining valuable clinical experience and learning the importance of oral health education. Fourth-year dental student Benjamin Bloom and dental student Wafa Khan were among the many volunteers. Khan, who has volunteered for four years, coordinated the event this year, recruiting volunteers and creating the schedule. She highlighted the rewarding experience of seeing children’s smiles after their appointments and the gratitude of their parents.

First-year dental students Simrah Ansari, Emily Jones, Andrew Gaedecke, Anne Ross Hope, Liana Semaan, and Stephanie Martin greeted patients and provided oral health information. Khan recalled earlier years of volunteering, where students dressed in costumes to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for children, even incorporating dinosaur dental plushies for brushing demonstrations.

The Importance of Prevention

Khan emphasized the importance of preventative dental care through education. “I’m passionate about pediatric dentistry as it truly emphasizes the idea of prevention through education,” Khan said. “Kids enjoy learning and it is ultimately up to us as providers to enforce that fun learning at an early age. This way, we make all our patients feel comfortable and cared for when treated.”

A Collaborative Effort

Give Kids A Smile is a collaborative effort, representing countless hours of planning, dedication from volunteers, and the VCU School of Dentistry’s commitment to providing clinical excellence to those in need. Coates expressed her pride in the students and the positive impact of the event, noting the relief felt by parents learning there was no charge for the services provided.