February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of preventative dental care and promote good oral hygiene among kids. However, for St. David’s Foundation, a commitment to children’s dental health extends year-round. The St. David’s Foundation Dental Program operates the largest charity-based mobile dental program in the country, providing free, high-quality dental care to students in Title 1 elementary schools across Central Texas. The program brings care to students, meeting them where they are via state-of-the-art mobile clinics and working closely with school partners. In addition to providing dental services to the students who sign up for appointments, the Dental Program empowers all students at school locations with oral hygiene education that builds lifelong healthy habits.
The St. David’s Foundation Dental Program was established 25 years ago, inspired by the vision of former CEO Neal Kocurek and Austin dentist Dr. Dave Jackson. Their goal was to bring essential dental care to underserved communities in Central Texas. Starting with just one mobile dental clinic, generously donated by the City of Austin, the dental program has expanded into a fleet of ten. This growth allows the team to serve even more patients in communities with the greatest health needs.
Each mobile clinic features two dental exam stations, digital x-rays, and computer workstations. Board-certified dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants deliver high-quality, free dental care to children at school, removing barriers to care for parents and caregivers. From August through May, the dental team treats students during school hours. Schools are selected in partnership with district administration and guided by data ensuring the program brings services to communities with the greatest need. The Foundation currently partners with nine school districts and two charter school networks. In the summer, the Foundation partners with area social service agencies to serve children ages 5 to 18.
Beyond clinical treatment, the Dental Program equips students with important oral hygiene skills, emphasizing the importance of brushing, flossing, and overall health. Tooth decay continues to be the most common chronic disease in children, affecting more than 50% of children by age 8. By providing early education, children can develop long-term dental hygiene routines to help protect their teeth for the long term.
“Optimal dental and oral health is essential for function, speech, and confidence. If students can’t chew properly, they’ll be malnourished; if they can’t speak, it can impact their development,” explained Dr. Abby Menke, a lead dentist at St. David’s Foundation. “We want students to feel confident in their smiles. It’s incredibly gratifying to see a child come in, receive care, and leave eager to show off their smile again.”
In 2024, Texas received a “C” on the Texas Oral Health Report Card from the Texas Oral Health Coalition. One in five children aged 6–14 experienced tooth decay in the past year, and among those enrolled in Medicaid, only a portion received dental sealants on their permanent teeth. For many underinsured and uninsured children, routine dental care is simply out of reach. In 2025, the Foundation was able to serve more than 5,600 patients across 37 schools providing more than $11 million in services to the community.
10-year-old Caiden was one of thousands of children whose smiles were brightened by the Foundation’s dedicated dental team. Caiden, a fourth grader at Gilbert Elementary School in Del Valle, TX, 30 minutes east of downtown Austin, dreams of becoming a scientist, teacher, or YouTuber. Through the Dental Program, he received specialized services through St. David’s Foundation’s Complex Care Program, which partners with organizations to provide advanced care when needed.
“Students who require care beyond what we offer through our dental services are referred to specialists in our community partner network,” said Dr. Menke. “There is no cost to families for this care, which can include services like root canals, pediatric dentistry, or oral surgery. The Foundation covers all associated expenses to ensure every student receives the treatment they need.”
“The dentist and staff were really nice, I really liked them,” said Caiden. “This experience made me realize how important it is to brush my teeth and take care of them, so I can have healthy teeth as I grow up.”
Caiden’s mother, Laurie, also expressed gratitude for the program’s focus on education. “It was an eye-opening experience for Caiden, now he understands that oral health impacts not just your permanent teeth, but your whole body.”
“I thought it would just be a basic exam, but I was surprised and pleased by the comprehensive services Caiden received,” said Laurie. “It was so convenient because I didn’t have to take time off work; having Caiden’s care provided at school made a huge difference for our family.”
Amanda Williamson, Parent Support Specialist at Gilbert Elementary, serves as the vital link between parents and the community. She closely collaborated with Foundation staff to ensure families were aware the program was coming to their school, ensuring students had access to essential dental care.
“We’re far enough from Austin that it takes 30 minutes to reach medical offices. Many families don’t have a car, and there’s no public transportation,” Williamson explained. “Accessing basic healthcare is a challenge, so having the dental program visit during school hours was extremely beneficial for our students.”
The dental program has previously visited Gilbert Elementary. “It has been a tremendous resource for our families,” reflected Williamson. “For many of our students, this was their first time ever seeing a dentist. We had a student who suffered severe mouth pain from extreme decay and struggled to concentrate in class, but the Foundation was able to help her.”
Shirley Creed has been part of the Foundation’s dental program for 18 years, working as a dental hygienist. She recalls not visiting a dentist until adulthood, but as she built a relationship with her dentist, she was inspired to pursue a career in dental hygiene and make a difference in others’ lives.
“What keeps me here is that I love what I do. I was once one of those kids who didn’t have the opportunity to go to the dentist,” Creed recalled. “For me, it’s very personal. I love talking to the kids, showing them their x-rays, or even just providing a toothbrush. I truly enjoy what I do every day.”
The St. David’s Foundation Dental Program is committed to bringing high, quality oral healthcare to our Central Texas community. Learn more about our dental program.