On Saturday, March 14, 2026, 115 children from central Indiana were met by masked and gowned strangers wielding unfamiliar and intimidating dental tools as they cautiously made their way through the IU School of Dentistry (IUSD). Thanks to 153 IUSD student, faculty, and staff volunteers, those same children left the school equipped with healthier habits and confident smiles.
This happened during Give Kids A Smile (GKAS), a free dental walk-in clinic hosted annually by the IUSD Kids Club, pediatric dentistry department, and dental hygiene and dental assisting programs. Part of a nationwide American Dental Association (ADA) initiative originally staged by IUSD alumnus Dr. Jeffrey Dalin (DDS ’80), GKAS increases children’s access to preventive dental care and resources, helping families who may otherwise face financial or other barriers to their children’s oral healthcare.
Anxiety melted away as participants colored, made bracelets, had their faces painted, and played games in the “fun zone” with volunteers. Old-fashioned Pac-Man and Galaga arcade machines added excitement and a touch of nostalgia for parents and guardians. When it was time, children moved on to dental screenings, radiographs, cleanings, sealants, and fluoride varnish applications as needed.
After treatment, each child received a take-home dental care packet, courtesy of ADA, and a prize token for the toy tower, provided by Indiana Incentives. More than 75 participants had IUSD patient charts created, helping connect families to ongoing dental services beyond the one-day clinic.
Pediatric dentist and event champion Dr. Aline Castilho believes this year’s event was highly successful, noting families benefited from $26,019 in estimated services rendered. Overall, 42 percent more children were treated, resulting in a 39 percent increased value of services delivered during last year’s GKAS event.
“Many parents expressed appreciation for the opportunity to receive care and guidance on their children’s oral health, highlighting how important programs like this are for families who may face barriers to accessing dental services,” Castilho said.
This was Castilho’s first year attending and leading Give Kids A Smile, co-led by dental public health colleague Dr. Armando Soto-Rojas. She credited ADA, Wonderful Dental, and Indiana Incentives for helping make the event possible.
Beyond the care provided, Castilho was struck by the leadership and organizational skills of Kids Club leaders, including DDS students Danielle Nosek, Graham Haines, Macy Covey, and Milan Lynn.
Nosek, who serves as the Kids Club co-president, attributes some of the event’s success to outreach conducted by Kids Club members at local schools, community centers, and churches, as well as through local healthcare professionals.
“This event is important to me because it allows us to provide care for children who might otherwise be unable to receive dental treatment,” Nosek said. “Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in childhood, and programs like this help improve not only children’s oral health but also their overall health and well-being. It is very meaningful to help provide these children with the care and treatment they deserve.”
Kids Club Co-President Graham Haines, also a third-year DDS student, helped with event outreach and is now more aware of the importance communication and follow-up are to patient outcomes, especially when it comes to kids and families.
“I hope families leave feeling more comfortable with dentistry and more confident about getting their kids regular care moving forward,” Haines said. “One thing that has been especially important to me is helping transition many of these patients into a dental home here at the school, so the event becomes more than just one visit. If we can help a child get connected to continued care, that has a much bigger long-term impact.”
Castilho expressed gratitude to all volunteers and community partners, adding that Dean Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch’s presence demonstrated strong support for students and community outreach. She also thanked Soto-Rojas for his help in guiding her through the event, and Dr. Frank Lippert for providing water and snacks for volunteers.
“Together, everyone’s professionalism, teamwork, and commitment led to an incredible outcome that surpassed our expectations and initial goals,” Castilho shared. “It was amazing to see students, residents, staff, and faculty all working together with the shared goal of promoting oral health for children. Moments like this remind me how powerful teamwork can be.”