Teaming Up with TeamSmile and the KC Royals

Members of the Royals organization, UMKC School of Dentistry students and faculty and about 125 other TeamSmile volunteers gathered at “The K” (Kauffman Stadium) to provide care to approximately 300 children on Wednesday, August 2, 2017. UMKC also participates in TeamSmile events with the Kansas City Chiefs football team and the Sporting KC soccer team.

The 10 dental students who participated included:
David Casteel
Hayley Shenberger
Brittany Bingesser
Allison Neumeier
Shaun Heier
Ronnie Marquez
Kayla Hanna
Parth Patel
Anna Lee
Brianna Phillips

Three UMKC SOD faculty also took part in the event:  Drs. Michael McCunniff (Dental Public Health), Becky Smith (Restorative), and Eilleen Cocjin (Pediatrics).

TeamSmile is “the nation’s premier advocacy group that partners oral health professionals with professional athletic organizations to provide life-changing dental care to underserved children in our communities. By partnering with professional sports organizations, we create an experience that develops bonds between children’s organizations, oral health professionals, surrounding communities, and the athletes that solidify the message that oral health care is vitally important to long-term health.  Through this experience, children receive free oral health education, screening, treatment, and are taught that the mouth and body are linked for overall health.”

Photos from the event.