On July 24th, 2026, Delta Dental of North Carolina proudly partnered with the North Carolina Courage and a group of dedicated community organizations to host the inaugural Kids Dental Day at WakeMed Soccer Park. The event brought together 175 children from five Boys & Girls Clubs across the Triangle for a day focused on prevention, education, and fun, all designed to help kids build healthy oral health habits that can last a lifetime.
At Delta Dental of North Carolina, we know that oral health is about more than a smile. Healthy teeth and gums are closely connected to overall health, confidence and success in school. That's why Kids Dental Day was created to make preventive care accessible, engaging and memorable for children who may face barriers in receiving routine dental services.
Throughout the day, children rotated through seven interactive stations featuring free dental screenings, oral health education, science and literacy activities, and a soccer clinic led by North Carolina Courage players and staff. Kids also learned proper brushing techniques, explored wellness-focused activities and had the chance to meet Delta Dental's Tooth Fairy, Emerald Pine.
By the end of the day, each child went home with practical tools to support their health, including a dental care kit, a sports mouthguard, a children's book and a new pair of shoes generously provided by Samaritan's Feet.
For many of the children, the day was about more than learning how to care for their teeth. It was an opportunity to build confidence, ask questions, connect with caring adults and experience firsthand that health education can be both meaningful and fun.
While the smiles on the children's faces were the highlight of the day, Kids Dental Day also demonstrated the power of a shared mission.
From employee volunteers and dental professionals to community partners and local organizations, countless individuals came together to create an experience that reflected Delta Dental's commitment to improving the oral and overall well-being of the communities we serve. Team members assisted with screenings, helped guide children through activities and spent the day encouraging healthy habits in ways that felt approachable and engaging.
"Dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in the state, and yet it is largely preventable with routine care," said Curt Ladig, President and CEO of Delta Dental of North Carolina. "Events like Kids Dental Day become important pathways for broadening access to preventive oral health care. We are proud to partner with organizations across the Triangle to bring greater awareness and education about oral and overall health to area youth."
The event also served as a reminder of what can happen when organizations unite around a common purpose. By combining resources, expertise and a commitment to community, Kids Dental Day became more than a one-day event. It became an opportunity to create lasting impact for children and families across the region.
Kids Dental Day was made possible through the support of numerous community partners, including Wake Smiles, Wake Technical Community College, Wake County Health and Human Services, the Poe Center for Health Education, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Wake County Public Libraries, Advance Community Health (now Amplify Health) and Samaritan's Feet, among others.
Together, these organizations helped create an environment where children could learn, explore and gain access to resources that support lifelong health and wellness. Their contributions reinforced a shared belief that preventive care and health education should be accessible to every child, regardless of circumstance.
For Delta Dental of North Carolina, the success of the inaugural Kids Dental Day highlights the value of community-centered solutions that help expand access to care and empower healthier futures. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to develop healthy habits, receive quality oral health education and feel confident in their smile.
As we reflect on the day, we're grateful to the volunteers, partners and families who helped make it possible and, most importantly, to the 175 children who brought energy, curiosity and excitement to every activity. Their enthusiasm was a powerful reminder of why this work matters and why investing in the health of North Carolina's children will always be worth celebrating.