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Scott AFB Dental Clinic Brings Smiles to Kids During Annual Give Kids a Smile Event

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daisy Quevedo
  • 375th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  

The 375th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Dental Clinic hosted its annual Give Kids a Smile event at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, March 9, 2025, providing free dental care to military children without dental insurance ages 13 and under. 

Give Kids a Smile is a national initiative sponsored by the American Dental Association Foundation, designed to provide free oral health education, screenings, and treatment to children in need since 2003. 

The 375th OMRS Dental Clinic actively participates in the program each year, strengthening the military's commitment to supporting service members and their families.

At Scott AFB, the 375th OMRS Dental Clinic's team of dentists, dental technicians, and staff volunteered Saturday morning to treat young patients.

Three adults—a dentist, a dental technician, and a father—gather around a nervous child sitting in a dental chair. The adults hold up a phone displaying Mickey Mouse at His First Dentist Appointment to help comfort the child.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Danielle Vasiliev, 375th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Dental Clinic general dentist, and a dental assistant use a video of Mickey Mouse to comfort a young patient during the annual Give Kids a Smile event at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, March 9, 2025. The child’s father offered reassurance as she overcame her fear of the dental visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daisy Quevedo)
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The event provided comprehensive dental services, including cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, exams for school, sealants, and oral health education, all at no cost to eligible children. 

Throughout the event, the dental team found creative ways to make children feel at ease. 

While some kids confidently climbed into the chair, others needed reassurance, and the team worked compassionately to make each experience positive.

A child curiously examines a toothbrush being handed to her by a woman dressed as the tooth fairy.

Scott AFB Dental Clinic Brings Smiles to Kids During Annual Give Kids a Smile Event

U.S. Airman 1st Class Alondra Ramos, 375th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron dental technician, hands a child a tooth brush during the annual Give Kids a Smile event at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, March 9, 2025. The child curiously examined the toothbrush. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daisy Quevedo)
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SLIDESHOW | 3 images | Scott AFB Dental Clinic Brings Smiles to Kids During Annual Give Kids a Smile Event
A child curiously examines a toothbrush being handed to her by a woman dressed as the tooth fairy.

Scott AFB Dental Clinic Brings Smiles to Kids During Annual Give Kids a Smile Event

U.S. Airman 1st Class Alondra Ramos, 375th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron dental technician, hands a child a tooth brush during the annual Give Kids a Smile event at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, March 9, 2025. The child curiously examined the toothbrush. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daisy Quevedo)

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Airman 1st Class Alondra Ramos a dental technician, dressed up as the tooth fairy teaches a child how to brush teeth using a puppet toy and tooth brush.

Scott AFB Dental Clinic Brings Smiles to Kids During Annual Give Kids a Smile Event

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alondra Ramos, 375th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron dental technician, teaches a child how to brush teeth during the annual Give Kids a Smile event at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, March 9, 2025. Ramos verbally guided the child as she brushed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daisy Quevedo)

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Airman 1st Class Alondra Ramos, dental technician dressed as tooth fairy kneels down to interact with little patients awaiting their appointment in the lobby.

Scott AFB Dental Clinic Brings Smiles to Kids During Annual Give Kids a Smile Event

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alondra Ramos, 375th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Dental Clinic dental technician, asks a child to demonstrate proper tooth brushing during the annual Give Kids a Smile event at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, March 9, 2025. Dressed as the Tooth Fairy, Ramos helped children and staff throughout the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daisy Quevedo)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alondra Ramos, a dental technician with the 375th OMRS, embraced the event's spirit by dressing up as the Tooth Fairy. Ramos engaged children with demonstrations on proper brushing techniques and distributed toothbrushes.

"Encouraging good oral hygiene at a young age is so important," Ramos said. "Being able to teach kids about their dental health is really rewarding."

For many children, this event marked important firsts—such as their first dental visit, their first X-ray, or a first fluoride treatment. Handled with care by the clinic team's professionals, these experiences emphasized the importance of promoting lifelong dental health.

"This event is an opportunity to take care of military children and educate them and their families about cavities and ways to prevent them," said Ericka Iles, 375th OMRS Dental Clinic dental technician. "It's also a chance to connect with our military community and provide support in a meaningful way."

The 375th OMRS Dental Clinic continues to participate in Give Kids a Smile, supporting the Air Force's mission to serve military families by providing young dependents with essential dental services and encouraging healthy oral health practices.