The Give Kids A Smile program will provide free dental services to nearly 340,000 children nationwide this year, beginning at Indianapolis-based Indiana University School of Dentistry Feb. 7., according to the American Dental Association.
The Indiana University School of Dentistry will host the national kickoff, where more than 150 volunteers will provide dental exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, fluoride, sealants and X-rays to about 250 local children.
Since the ADA launched the national program in 2003, volunteer dentists have treated over 6 million children. In 2020, about 6,500 volunteer dentists and 26,000 other dental team volunteers are expected to participate at 1,400 events.
The national kickoff is sponsored by Henry Schein and Colgate-Palmolive.