Smiles and More Smiles: Give Kids A Smile

February 9, 2026

Photo collage of people posing during CoD event — Clockwise from top left: Carolyn Nguyen, president of the Ohio State Give Kids A Smile program; Students with a GKAS patient; Dr. Erin Gross, GKAS advisor and associate professor – clinical, Division of Pediatric Dentistry (fourth from left) with Dean Carroll Ann Trotman and the GKAS student leadership team; Dr. Kyle Bogan, president of the Ohio Dental Association, Dr. Carroll Ann Trotman, dean of the College of Dentistry, and Dr. Brett Pelok, president-elect of the Ohio Dental Association

Smiles—and lots of them—filled this year’s College of Dentistry Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) event. We were honored to host the statewide kick-off together with the Ohio Dental Association. More than 200 students, faculty, staff, and residents volunteered their time to ensure 65 children received free dental exams and cleanings as part of the national program sponsored by the American Dental Association Foundation.

Special thanks to third-year dental student and GKAS program president Carolyn Nguyen and to Dr. Erin Gross, student advisor and associate professor-clinical in the Division of Pediatric Dentistry, for their leadership in planning and coordinating the event. We also extend our appreciation to the Ohio Dental Association—including President Dr. Kyle Bogan, President-elect Dr. Brett Pelok, and Executive Director David Owsiany—for their support and collaboration.

Since 2003, GKAS has provided more than $15.5 million in donated dental care to over 335,000 Ohio children—a remarkable impact made possible by Ohio dentists, students, and community partners. The College of Dentistry is proud to have participated in this effort since 2013.

Give Kids A Smile at a Glance

15 months–17 years — Age range of children treated
$33,000+ — Value of dental services if provided in a private dental office
351 — Dental procedures performed
25 — Unique ZIP codes families traveled from