Not a Day, but a Season of Smiles

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) held its annual Give Kids a Smile Day on February 7 to provide complimentary oral health care to Newark children. 

But this year’s efforts had a wider reach.

The RSDM Pediatric Dentistry and Community Health Department turned this one-day event into a series to care for more children in the community throughout February­—the National Children’s Dental Health Month—and beyond. In February alone, RSDM provided care to nearly 200 students from Sarah Ward Nursery, Augusta Preschool Academy, Grove Street Elementary School, Newark Educators Community Charter School, and Sandy Lane Nursery School. More children from other local schools will be visiting RSDM in March and April.  

“We were able to accommodate more schools throughout the month by providing more dates and extending the events,” said Maria LaBoy, clinical services supervisor in the Pediatric Dentistry Department, who led the organization of these events. LaBoy received support from the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and RSDM volunteers as well as the RSDM Student Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. “It was a pleasure seeing the children and giving them a friendly trip to the dentist," said LaBoy. "They learned how to care for their teeth in a fun-filled setting.”

One of the student organizers Nicole Tobia of the Class of 2026 said: “Give Kids a Smile has been a meaningful part of my dental school journey, and having the chance to help plan it this year made it even more special. I loved creating a fun, positive experience for the kids, showing them that going to the dentist can be enjoyable. Seeing their excitement confirmed my passion for dentistry and the impact we can have on shaping lifelong oral health habits.”

RSDM has also been visiting local schools and health centers to deliver oral health care. For instance, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry Mary Beth Giacona, along with RSDM’s third-year DMD candidates and pediatric residents, teamed up with Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center, run by RSDM alumna Baseemah Marshall, to kick off their inaugural Give Kids a Smile Day.