February is National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM)
February is National Children's Dental Health Month! This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.
NYS Give Kids a Smile Events
Each year, local dental societies host Give Kids A Smile® events providing underserved children with much needed oral health services and knowledge. Find a local event in your county!
Nassau County
Nassau County is proud to host the Give Kids A Smile event on February 7th, 2025, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. This year’s event is set to be the largest ever, serving over 1,700 children from 15 schools with the help of 300+ volunteers.
Children will receive dental exams, fluoride applications, sealants, oral hygiene education, nutritional counseling, and even eye and hearing screenings. Special needs children will also be accommodated, with bilingual (Spanish) stations available to ensure accessibility. Follow-up care will be arranged for those with acute needs to provide lasting support.
When: Friday, February 7, 2025
Where: Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Garden City, NY 11530
New York County
Get Ready to Bring Health Smiles to East Harlem on 2/7/25!
The New York County Dental Society is proud to host its annual Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) event on February 7, 2025, serving 1,500 children from ten East Harlem public schools. In one morning, children will receive dental screenings, fluoride treatments, and dental hygiene education, with a focus on reaching underserved and special needs populations.
Last year, 45% of the children screened needed follow-up care, highlighting the critical need for this initiative. GKAS NYC has been featured on NY1, in the Huffington Post, and even celebrated with Henry Schein at the NASDAQ bell ringing. Volunteers and PR support are still needed—let’s make a difference together!
When: Friday, February 7, 2025
WEBSITE
Sign-Up Here: Give Kids A Smile Volunteer Form
Interested in becoming a GKAS NYCDS 2025 sponsor or making a donation?
Click Here: GKAS Sponsor Media Kit
Make a donation here: GKAS NYCDS 2025 GoFundMe
If you have any questions, view our Volunteer FAQ Sheet
Suffolk County
The Suffolk County Dental Society (SCDS) is thrilled to host its Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) event at the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
GKAS is a national program that provides free dental care and education to children in need. At this event, children aged 1–17 (accompanied by a parent or guardian) can receive:
- Free dental screenings, cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments
- Oral health education
- Oral hygiene kits
- Immediate care for urgent dental needs
Where: Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center, 431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY
When: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Buffalo
When: Friday, February 7, 2025
Where: Tuscarora Indian Reservation Elementary School
What: This year, the School of Dental Medicine - University at Buffalo is hosting a smaller outreach event at the Tuscarora Indian Reservation Elementary School dental clinic on February 7th, supporting about 70 students with dental care.
Last year’s event, held at the Buffalo Museum of Science, served hundreds of children from local schools with free dental exams, fluoride treatments, and more, thanks to the efforts of 150 volunteers.
