BRADENTON, FL (Jan. 13, 2026)—State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) will hold a free Healthy Smiles dental care event for children in grades K-12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the SCF Bradenton campus, 5840 26th St. W, in the SCF Dental Hygiene Clinic, Building 2. 

The Healthy Smiles event includes exams, cleaning, fluoride treatment, X-rays, oral health education and sensory assessments for kids in a supportive and fun environment. Care is provided by SCF dental hygiene, radiography and occupational therapy assistant students and faculty, along with community dental hygienists and dentists. Parents are invited to return to the SCF Dental Hygiene clinic for complimentary dental hygiene care as part of a holistic service for the whole family.

SCF launched Healthy Smiles in 2024. The program focuses on combating tooth decay, the number one chronic childhood illness in the United States. Ninety-four care volunteers served 280 children aged 4 to 17 at the college’s five events in 2025. Of the children served, 30% had never visited a dental office. Another 47% had active tooth decay and were connected to emergency care services and restorative treatment resources. Sixteen parents returned to the clinic for complimentary dental hygiene care.

Jared Barker, an SCF Class of 2026 dental hygiene student, volunteered at a Healthy Smiles event and said it is an important and much-needed service for the community. “Being able to provide care to so many children cemented the certainty that this profession is right for me,” Barker said. “Seeing the patience and care of the volunteer dentists was uplifting; it set a standard that I want to carry with me as a clinician throughout my career.”

Space is limited and registration is encouraged for the Feb. 7 event. To register a child, complete the online registration form or call the SCF Dental Hygiene Clinic at 941-752-5353.