Sharks Foundation launches free dental care for Bay Area kids

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Sharks Foundation launches free dental care for Bay Area kids

Black and white photo of a young boy in a dental chair while a dentist stands behind him, holding dental tools.
Janet Carey
Janet Carey
2 Min.

Sharks Foundation launches free dental care for Bay Area kids

A dental health event took place at Lowell Elementary School in San Jose this week. The Sharks Foundation and Healthier Kids Foundation teamed up to provide free screenings and resources for young students. The visit also marked the launch of a new grant-funded programme aimed at improving children's oral care.

The activation was part of a $40,000 Community Assist Grant given to Healthier Kids Foundation. This funding will expand the Dental First programme, which targets around 1,600 Bay Area students aged 5 to 12 during the 2025-26 school year. The money will help increase screening visits, boost case management, and strengthen outreach efforts.

At the event, S.J. Sharkie, the Sharks' mascot, visited two second-grade classrooms. Students received free dental check-ups, hygiene kits, and beanies. Sharks staff, community partners, and San Jose District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos also attended. A new educational tutorial featuring S.J. Sharkie will be added to the foundation's curriculum. Scheduled for release in March 2026, it will coincide with National Children's Dental Health Month. Jenné Johnson, the Sharks Foundation's Director of Operations, highlighted concerns over limited access to dentists and quality oral care for local children.

The partnership between the Sharks Foundation and Healthier Kids Foundation will continue supporting Bay Area youth. The Dental First programme aims to deliver essential dental services and resources to schools in the coming year. Free screenings and educational tools will remain a key focus of the initiative.