When TeamSmile launched in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, it was meant to be a one-time effort to give back to the community. Nearly 2 decades later, that single event has grown into a national movement that’s transformed access to dental care for tens of thousands of children while reimagining what dental care feels like.
“We started with one event,” says John McCarthy, executive director of TeamSmile. “In 2025 alone, we expect to conduct 33 programs, serve roughly 6,000 children, and provide almost $2 million in free dental care and oral health education..”
The concept is as bold as it is joyful: set up full dental clinics inside major sports stadiums and arenas across the country, invite local children in need, and surround them with players, mascots, cheerleaders, music, and laughter. The experience transforms dental visits from something to fear into something to celebrate.
“We want to take the fear out of dentistry and make it cool,” McCarthy explains. “When you've got a DJ spinning, the music pumping, and you've got face painters and players and cheerleaders and mascots, all of a sudden it's not so scary anymore.”
Building beyond the stadium
TeamSmile’s mission has evolved beyond single-day events. After the pandemic, the organization launched its Dental Home Project, connecting children who come to TeamSmile events without a dentist to providers who agree to treat them for free or through Medicaid. In just a few years, more than 5,800 children have connected with dental homes, and over 2,200 have already attended their first appointments.
“That continuity of care is crucial,” McCarthy said. “Access to care is an important step, but creating lasting connections between patients and providers makes the impact last.”
In 2024, TeamSmile also introduced pilot programs serving children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The initiative adapts the group’s typically high-energy stadium model to quieter, sensory-friendly environments, offering weighted vests, soft lighting, and trained professionals to make care more comfortable.
“There’s a real need,” McCarthy notes. “Some families wait one or two years for an appointment. We can’t serve everyone, but we can lead by example and hopefully inspire others.”
Partnerships that power smiles
Partnerships are the foundation of TeamSmile’s success. The organization relies on dental manufacturers, local practices, schools, and sports teams to make each event possible. One of its strongest partnerships is with Dentsply Sirona, the world’s largest diversified manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, which supports TeamSmile through funding, products, and hands-on volunteering.
“Partnerships like ours go far beyond writing a check,” says Andrea Frohning, chief human resources officer and executive sponsor for community engagement at Dentsply Sirona. “Our employees volunteer at events, assist kids throughout their visits, offer all necessary product support and see firsthand how our products and technology are making a difference. It’s deeply rewarding for everyone involved.”
McCarthy echoes that sentiment. “We have 9 staff members and 4000 volunteers,” he says. “We couldn’t do this without partners like Dentsply Sirona. They don’t just talk about community, they live it.”
Each TeamSmile event brings together a mix of dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, students, and general volunteers. A large-scale program might include 20–25 dentists, an equal number of hygienists and assistants, plus dozens of students and 40–60 community volunteers. And demand for participation is soaring.
“At some events, like with the Kansas City Chiefs or New England Patriots, we’ve had to close volunteer registration and even create waiting lists,” McCarthy says. “That says a lot about how powerful the experience is, and the dental professionals desire to make a difference for communities in need.”
Many dental teams participate as a group, turning the event into a day of team building and community engagement. “We’ve seen practices bring their entire staff,” Frohning adds. “They have fun, build stronger connections, and leave with a sense of pride knowing they’ve made a real impact together.”
Professionals interested in volunteering can visit TeamSmile.org and sign up through the volunteer portal, which lists all upcoming events across the country.
Technology and the future of care
As TeamSmile continues to expand, technology is playing an increasingly significant role. Through its partnership with Dentsply Sirona, the organization is currently exploring ways to integrate digital workflows and connected dentistry solutions into its mobile clinics.
“Not everything from a fixed dental office translates to a program that fits in a semi-truck,” McCarthy notes with a laugh. “But we’re always looking for ways to make our equipment and care more efficient. Our partners help us stay on the cutting edge.”
Frohning sees even greater potential ahead. “With cloud-based workflows and digital case sharing, dentists can collaborate in real time—even across states or countries. That technology could help TeamSmile dentists provide better care and follow-up for every child.”
Growing the impact
After overcoming pandemic setbacks, TeamSmile is preparing for its next chapter. McCarthy says the organization expects to triple its impact over the next 5 years by running more events, reaching more children, and expanding specialized programs.
By 2026, TeamSmile plans to operate multiple events simultaneously, thanks to new trucks, staff, and equipment. “Next year, we’ll be able to host a program in Charlotte and another in New England on the same day,” McCarthy says. “That’s been a goal for a long time.”
Yet for all the big numbers, McCarthy says TeamSmile’s mission will always come down to the individual child. “Every statistic represents a story,” he explains. “Like the little girl who came in crying because she was terrified, and two hours later, she didn’t want to go home. That’s the magic of what we do.”
Learn more or sign up to volunteer at www.teamsmile.org.
