Hundreds of Nashville-Area Kids Receive Free Dental Screenings, Shoes, and More at 2025 Kids Dental Day
'This is one of our favorite days of the year,' said Adam English, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of the Nashville Sounds. 'First Horizon Park is meant to be a place where families can come together, and thanks to our incredible partners, we're able to make a real impact for hundreds of kids in our community.'
Tooth decay is the most common chronic condition of childhood, and poor oral health can affect a child's quality of life, performance at school, and success later in life. According to the CDC's 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report, half of all children aged 6 to 9 have had cavities in their primary or permanent teeth. Left untreated, these cavities can lead to pain, infections, and missed school days - and affect a child's ability to eat, speak, play, and learn. Events like Kids Dental Day help bridge the gap in access to care and put children on a path toward healthier, more confident futures.
'We're always grateful to the Sounds and our many community partners and volunteers who come together to make Kids Dental Day such a success,' said Jeff Ballard, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee. 'It's a fun, high-impact day that helps make care more accessible - and reminds kids that their health and happiness matter.'
The 250 participating kids arrived throughout the day from summer camps and community programs that coordinated with event organizers, including Preston Taylor Ministries and local chapters of the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee. Kids received free dental screenings and dental cleanings (as needed), a new pair of socks and shoes, snacks, and a new book. About 25% of children receiving cleanings also had signs of developing cavities that the dental team was able to treat with silver diamine fluoride (SDF), a non-invasive treatment used to stop the growth of tooth decay.
'Helping kids access quality dental care is at the heart of our mission,' said Dr. Michele Blackledge-Polk, Director of Oral Health at Neighborhood Health. 'Good oral health habits start early and set the foundation for lifelong health, confidence, and success. One of the most powerful aspects of events like Kids Dental Day is our ability to assess the state of children in the community by having limited exams and education on brushing and flossing. Silver Diamine Fluoride is a new tool that works by preventing the progression of cavities. When properly used, we can reduce the need for drilling and hopefully the number of visits required to treat the tooth. This event is all about meeting families where they are and making oral health approachable and fun.'
The day also featured educational stations and activities to engage children as they prepare to return to school in the coming weeks. Book'em brought their Book Bus, giving every child the opportunity to pick out a free book to take home. The American Heart Association provided hands-only CPR demonstrations, and the Adventure Science Center hosted STEM activities. PBS Kids on Nashville PBS gave out temporary tattoos featuring characters from the Delta Dental and Smile180 Foundation supported oral health education programming.
'For many of our families, back-to-school can be extremely time-consuming and stressful,' said Dwight Johnson, Executive Director at Preston Taylor Ministries. 'Kids Dental Day helps to alleviate a lot of that burden with care, joy, and community. Our students left with healthier smiles, fresh shoes, and a boost of confidence for the year ahead.'
130 volunteers from cityCURRENT and other community groups helped make the day run smoothly ─ from assisting families and guiding kids through activities to distributing books, snacks, and dental kits.
'Kids Dental Day is a shining example of what can happen when the business community comes together with a shared purpose,' said Kelly Meyers, Nashville Market President, cityCURRENT. 'It's more than a day of service ─ it's a reminder to each child that they matter, and we're here to support them.'
Additional partners helped to make the event possible behind the scenes. Signature Transportation provided buses to bring kids to and from summer programs and camps across the region, ensuring that transportation was never a barrier to participation. Volunteers stayed energized thanks to snacks and drinks donated by Kroger, as well as coffee and doughnuts donated by Dunkin' Donuts. Dental supplies were donated by Henry Schein and equipment was provided by Hope Smiles.
To learn more about Kids Dental Day, visit: deltadentaltn.com/kids-dental-day.
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