Blinn’s Give Kids a Smile surpasses $300,000 in free dental care for local children

Now in its 17th year, the annual event is coordinated, planned, and executed by Blinn College Dental Hygiene Program students

April 22, 2026

From popcorn to balloon animals and everything in between, the big top recently took over the Blinn College District’s Dental Hygiene Clinic for one afternoon to host the College’s annual Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) event.

The event’s theme, “Making Every Smile the Main Attraction,” created a fun circus environment to help the children receiving dental care feel more comfortable.

“We wanted to make visiting the dentist less intimidating, which we hope will lead to a lifetime of good oral health care,” said Blinn Dental Hygiene student Miguel Ponce, who was one of the co-chairs coordinating this year’s event.

A national initiative of the American Dental Association, GKAS supplies oral health care to local children who lack access to regular dental care. Now in its 17^th year hosting the event, Blinn’s GKAS reached a new milestone, surpassing more than $300,000 in donated care.

This year’s event provided 75 local children with care valued at $25,774, bringing the combined impact of the program to $319,355 over 17 years.

“This success is due to our amazing students, faculty, and all the volunteers who donate their time, supplies, and so much more to help serve our community,” said Dental Hygiene Instructor Darby Sessions, who oversees Blinn’s GKAS. “This truly is a labor of love for so many people, which is why it’s such a success year after year.”

With the longest-running GKAS program among U.S. community colleges, Blinn’s spirit of volunteerism goes beyond dental care. The College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program was on site to provide blood pressure and weight checks, cholesterol screenings, and glucose screenings for parents and caregivers. In addition, volunteers with the Brazos Valley Dental Society and the Brazos Valley Dental Hygienists’ Association provide invaluable support.

“It’s so rewarding to see everyone working together to help our community,” said Sessions. “We hope that it inspires our students to implement something like this in their own community when they enter the profession. This experience can serve as a model for them to help establish their own GKAS event or clinic day.”

This goal resonates with Ponce, who sees himself in the eyes of the children attending this year’s event.

“As a child, I didn’t have much experience going to the dentist. I felt insecure with my smile, so I understand where these kids are coming from,” Ponce said. “I also really love doing community work, and that’s one of the reasons I volunteered to be a chair this year. I definitely see myself coming back to GKAS because I am strongly committed to doing more community care.”

Laughing uncontrollably, twin 6-year-old brothers show off their freshly polished smiles as they swashbuckle down the clinic’s hallway with balloon swords they were gifted after their cleaning. For Ponce, their giggles represent mission accomplished.

“Seeing a child’s first experience with dental care turn from a frown to a smile or even a laugh is so rewarding,” Ponce said. “For me, interacting with patients and educating people on different techniques is what I love about being a hygienist. By setting these children up with good education at such a young age, we can really make an impact on their overall health.”

In addition to GKAS, the Blinn Dental Hygiene Program offers discounted cleanings and screenings for the public. These sessions are $20 per person and include dental cleanings, x-rays, examinations, fluoride, oral cancer inspections, and sealants. For more information about a clinic visit, call 979-209-7283 or visit www.blinn.edu/dental-hygiene/dental-clinic.html.

To learn more about Blinn’s Dental Hygiene Program, visit www.blinn.edu/dental-hygiene.