New School Year, New Look — St. David’s Foundation Dental Program Celebrates 25 Years of Service

As the back-to-school season kicks off across Central Texas, St. David’s Foundation Dental Program is rolling into high gear — celebrating 25 years of delivering free, high-quality dental care to students at participating Title 1 elementary schools in the region.

What began in 2000 as an effort to address a critical need in our community — steered by our founding CEO and President Dr. W. Neal Kocurek — has grown to become the largest mobile charity dental program in the country. With a fleet of 10 state-of-the-art mobile clinics and a committed team of Board-certified dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants, the program provides comprehensive care directly to students — reaching children who might otherwise go without essential dental care due to barriers such as cost, access, or transportation.

As Central Texas grows, many residents struggle to access timely, affordable care—especially dental services, which are increasingly out of reach for the uninsured and underinsured. Yet oral health is essential to overall well-being – and often a window into a person’s overall health. For children, cavities are a common health issue, ranking as the most chronic childhood disease in the U.S and the leading cause of missed school days. Left untreated, cavities can have serious consequences, including problems with eating, speaking, and learning. For many families, however, dental care is simply out of reach. By expanding access to quality oral health care, we are not only addressing urgent needs today but also educating children with lifelong dental hygiene habits that support their health well into the future.

As we celebrate this milestone year with our community, we’re excited to introduce refreshed branding for the Dental Program.

Designed to be vibrant, welcoming, and kid-approved, the new look will appear on our mobile dental clinics, educational materials, and throughout the schools we serve.

The root of our Dental Program rebrand is to build trust and awareness within our community — ensuring that families and children recognize our clinics, are aware of the free services provided by Board-certified, licensed hygienists and dentists, and feel comfortable accessing care.

25 Years of Service, Smiles, and Impact

Over the past two and a half decades, our Dental Program has become a trusted community resource — one that prioritizes care, health equity, and prevention. Since 2000, the program has:

• Delivered 255,000 dental visits
• Treated 110,000 patients
• Applied over 100,000 sealants
• Provided more than $115 million in dental care — at no cost to patients and families

Every child seen by the Dental Program’s providers receives the same high standard of care – regardless of insurance coverage, immigration status, or ability to pay.

Comprehensive Dental Care, Right Where Kids Are

By bringing the Dental Program directly to schools, parents and caregivers no longer have to navigate the logistics of taking time off work or arranging transportation. From preventing cavities before they start and treating urgent dental needs, our clinics help keep kids healthy and in school, ready to learn and grow. Each dental clinic is fully equipped to deliver comprehensive preventive and restorative care, including:

• Dental exams and x-rays
• Cleanings and sealants
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Simple extractions
• Oral health education

Powered by People Who Care

At the core of the Dental Program is an extraordinary team of people who are committed to serving our communities in Central Texas. Many of our staff have dedicated over 10 years of their careers to our mission. It’s their compassion, experience, and connection to the communities they serve that make every clinic visit more than just a check-up — it becomes a trusted relationship and a safe space for kids to receive the care they deserve.

Looking Ahead

As the new school year begins, the Dental Program is underway providing dental treatment to students at participating Title 1 elementary schools across Central Texas. Each visit represents St. David’s Foundation’s continued commitment to health equity and our belief that every child deserves a healthy smile.

Here’s to 25 years of healthy smiles — and many more to come.

Learn more about St. David’s Foundation Dental Program here.