The Nashville Sounds, Delta Dental of Tennessee, and cityCURRENT recently hosted the third annual Kids Dental Day at First Horizon Park. More than 400 kids of all ages from the Nashville area received free dental screenings, a new pair of socks and shoes, snacks, a new book, and Sounds souvenirs as they prepared for the new school year. Approximately 80% of the kids screened at the event needed additional dental care and were able to receive a complimentary cleaning onsite, as well as a referral to Meharry or Neighborhood Health for follow-up care, as needed.
More than 400 Kids Receive Dental Screenings, New Shoes at Kids Dental Day Event
“We are honored to partner with Delta Dental and Samaritan’s Feet to grow the community impact of our annual Kids Dental Day,” said Adam English, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of the Nashville Sounds. “Community is so important to us, so seeing our partners and many community organizations come together to make an impact for hundreds of children right here in Middle Tennessee is really special.”
A dental checkup is a critical part of a child’s back to school routine because children with poor oral health are three times more likely than their peers to miss school, and poor oral health can have a detrimental effect on a child’s quality of life and success later in life. The high number of kids screened at the event that needed additional care (80%, compared to 40% of kids last year) underscores the urgency of reversing an alarming post-pandemic trend: the number of kids receiving routine preventive declined, resulting in increases in dental decay.
“We are thrilled with the turnout and success of Kids Dental Day, and thank the Sounds and all of the community partners and volunteers who helped make this event possible,” said Jeff Ballard, CEO and president of Delta Dental of Tennessee. “Helping kids learn good oral health habits at an early age is critical to setting them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles, and the fun, festive atmosphere of Kids Dental Day is the perfect way to help make care more accessible and approachable to kids.”
Kids Dental Day was the result of more than a dozen community partners coming together to create a memorable experience for kids. Dentists from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry and Neighborhood Health oversaw the dental care portion of the event, and the new socks and shoes were provided by cityCURRENT and Samaritan’s Feet. The day was filled with fun activities and games provided by Nashville Public Television and visits to the Book’em Book Bus to choose a free book to take home. Each child was also given a hygiene kit and drawstring backpack from Delta Dental.
Samaritan’s Feet International, a humanitarian aid non-profit, played a key role by providing shoes and spreading messages of hope. “We are excited to bring Samaritan’s Feet back to Nashville, enriching the Kids Dental Day experience with the gift of shoes and a message of hope,” remarked Manny Ohonme, co-founder of Samaritan’s Feet. “Our mission is to inspire hope and ensure that children know they are valued and capable of achieving great things. By partnering with cityCURRENT, the Sounds, and Delta Dental, we are able to reach more children and make a meaningful impact in their lives.”
The success of the event would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of over 100 volunteers. From coordinating logistics to encouraging the children, volunteers from cityCURRENT and other local organizations played an essential role in ensuring the day ran smoothly. Their commitment and enthusiasm were instrumental in creating a positive and impactful experience for every child in attendance.
“Kids Dental Day is not just about dental health or new shoes; it’s about empowering children with the knowledge that they are loved, cared for, and can achieve their future goals,” said Kelly Meyers, President of cityCURRENT. “Our collaboration with The Sounds and Delta Dental underscores our commitment to the well-being of Nashville’s youth. By coming together as a community, we can provide essential services and support that will have a lasting impact on these children’s lives. This event is a true testament to the difference we can make when we work together as a business community.”
Children arrived throughout the day at First Horizon Park from community partners and summer programs including the Donelson YMCA, Preston Taylor Ministries, and the Hispanic Family Foundation. Some received transportation provided by Delta Dental’s Smile180 Foundation and Higginbotham Insurance. Other partners involved in the event were Kroger, who donated healthy snacks and bottles of water, and Hope Smiles, who provided the dental equipment. The Smile180 Foundation purchased the dental supplies for the event.
To sign up for information about the Summer 2025 Kids Dental Day event, click here.
About Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and play at First Horizon Park. Single-game tickets for the remainder of the 2024 season are on sale now. For more information call 615-690-4487 or email tickets@nashvillesounds.com.
About Delta Dental of Tennessee
Delta Dental of Tennessee is the state’s largest independent dental benefits carrier with 1.5 million lives covered. As part of the Delta Dental Plans Association, Delta Dental of Tennessee members have access to the largest dental network in the nation with more than 200,985 providers serving more than 538,819 locations. With the simple mission of ensuring healthy smiles, Delta Dental of Tennessee works hard to help members of the communities it serves. Along with its corporate foundation, Smile180, Delta Dental of Tennessee donated more than $4.0 million in funding and in-kind services to over 100 organizations in 2023.
About cityCURRENT
cityCURRENT is a business organization that exists to help companies create professional relationships and power the good in our community. Through a network of corporate partners, cityCURRENT organizes events, volunteer opportunities, and philanthropic initiatives across Memphis and Nashville. Their mission is to power the good, support local nonprofits, and engage businesses in creating relationships that will impact our region. For more information, visit www.cityCURRENT.com.
FEATURED IMAGE CREDIT: Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay.
