American Dental Association Foundation Kicks Off the 21st Year of Give Kids A Smile With Exclusive National Sponsors, Henry Schein and Colgate-Palmolive

The American Dental Association Foundation announces the 21^st year of its Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) program, which officially launches today at this year’s national kick-off event in St. Louis, MO where the program first began. Since its national launch in 2003, GKAS volunteers have provided free oral health education and services to more than seven million underserved children in the U.S. To learn more about the program’s impact on helping improve oral health and total health over the years, click here to watch last year’s 20^th anniversary video.

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In 2023, nearly 1,200 GKAS events are scheduled to take place throughout the U.S., and it is estimated that approximately 300,000 underserved children will receive free oral health education, screenings, and preventive and restorative services, such as cleanings and fillings. These services will be provided by approximately 30,000 dentists and dental team members who volunteer at local GKAS events, using essential oral health care products donated by national sponsor, Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL), as well as Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) and its supplier partners.

“What began as a grassroots effort in St. Louis has become a national movement to ensure access to quality oral health care for all children,” said Dr. Craig Armstrong, Chair, American Dental Association Foundation. “The success of GKAS would not be possible without dental professionals who volunteer at local events each year in addition to national sponsors, Henry Schein, and Colgate. My sincere appreciation and thanks to all who have been a part of the program, some from the very first day. We are all involved for the right reason – to Give Kids A Smile and help children in need.”

Since the program’s inception, Henry Schein has contributed more than $20 million in oral health care products in partnership with its supplier partners. Team Schein has also provided thousands of hours preparing and sending more than 40,000 dental kits to ensure volunteers had the supplies to deliver much needed oral health care.

“Henry Schein is pleased to be an exclusive national partner of the ADAF’s signature access-to-care program Give Kids A Smile since its national launch in 2003,” said Dave Steck, Vice President and General Manager, U.S. Dental Group, Henry Schein. “GKAS represents Henry Schein’s commitment to expand access to care to those who need it most. Congratulations and thank you to the American Dental Association and ADA Foundation for your leadership, to our supplier partners for their unwavering commitment and collaboration, and all the volunteers who have donated their time and expertise to grow GKAS into one of the largest, charitable dental health programs in the country.”