See how Chiefs players helped these KC kids make a trip to the dentist
The Kansas City Chiefs and a small army of oral health volunteers transformed GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium into a kid-friendly dental clinic for a unique dental tailgate party.
More than 200 volunteer dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants, backed by the nonprofit TeamSmile organization and the Chiefs, provided free dental care Tuesday to 300 children from Kansas City-area schools.
There were plenty of distractions at the in-stadium clinic to make a trip to the dentist a little less scary for the children. “We have players, cheerleaders, mascots, Chiefs ambassadors here, the DJ going, face painting, etc. for these children where we provide the full body of dental work right here in the stadium,” said John McCarthy, Executive Director of TeamSmile. Children received everything from exams and cleanings to crowns and extractions, all on site.
TeamSmile is a nonprofit organization that brings oral health professionals together with professional sports teams to help deliver oral health procedures to underserved children. The organization got its start in 2007 and is based in Kansas City.
TeamSmile also launched a new pilot program to deliver essential dental care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), highlighting the urgent need for accessible treatment for these kids. One standout innovation was a special quiet room—one of only three such pilot programs nationwide. The tranquil space, complete with soft music and weighted blankets, offered comfort during dental procedures. “The hope is to create a ripple effect, inspiring dentists here to welcome children with disabilities into their own practices throughout Kansas City,” McCarthy said.
Throughout the day, volunteer dentist Emma Feldmann from St. Louis gently spoke with young patients like nine-year-old Ixel Anabel Sarmiento-Rodriguez, who wore bright green star-shaped sunglasses for her dental procedure.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza visited with students from Our Lady of Unity Catholic School, pausing to sign autographs for about a dozen kids, often asked to sign shirts or laminated name tags. Nine-year-old Angie Ramirez-Maese left beaming after getting his autograph.
Sitting outside the stadium, eating lunch with her classmates, J’Averi Yates, a student at Hogan Prep Elementary, had her teeth cleaned and said the best part was getting to see the football stadium.
Chiefs Ambassadors Deron Cherry, Gary Stills, Dave Lindstrom, and other former players mingled with volunteers and young patients, frequently stopping for photos. Current players like Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Joshua Williams, Mike Danna, Kareem Hunt, and Jack Cochrane also joined in on greeting the kids and volunteers.
In one heartwarming moment, former Chiefs player Gary Stills, clad in his No. 55 jersey, comforted seven-year-old Deonna Jones by holding her hand and offering encouraging words, keeping her smiling throughout her dental procedure.
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 5:30 AM.