The Kansas City Chiefs teamed up with TeamSmile to transform Arrowhead Stadium into a dental clinic, giving hundreds of local children free dental exams, cleanings, and treatment, all while meeting some of their football heroes. By Tammy Ljungblad
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 distraction 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.
TeamSmile volunteers looked on as Caitlin Chidsey, left, a pediatric dentist from Olathe, left, talks to Khloe Harris, 7, of Kansas City, who was getting dental care from the Kansas City Chiefs and TeamSmile, who sponsored a dental tailgate to provide free dental care to 300 school children from Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas, on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna greeted Bryan Alamachi Guallichico, 10, of Kansas City, before Bryan had some free dental work done at the TeamSmile dental tailgate on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. More than 200 volunteer dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants provide the care backed by TeamSmile and the Chiefs. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
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.
Emma Feldmann, a dentist from St. Louis, talks with Ixel Anabel Sarmiento-Rodriguez, 9, of Kansas City, before some free dental work done at the TeamSmile dental tailgate on Tuesday. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
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.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza signs an autograph for Angie Ramirez-Maese, 9, a student at Our Lady of Unity Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas, during the TeamSmile dental tailgate. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
K. C. Wolf signed autographs for school children as the Kansas City Chiefs and TeamSmile provided free dental care to 300 school children from Kansas City and Kansas City, Kansas, during a dental tailgate on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
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.
Austin Le, 6, of Kansas City was ready some free dental work done at the TeamSmile dental tailgate. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt took a photo with Austin Le, 6, after Austin had some free dental work done at the TeamSmile dental tailgate. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
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.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna autographed a shirt for Omarian Jefferson, 11, of Kansas City, during the TeamSmile dental tailgate on Tuesday. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
TeamSmile volunteers Rebecca Green, from left, Dr. Jordan Borzek, a dentist, and Linsey Titus, share a smile with Jaida Childs, 10, of Kansas City and former Chiefs player Dave Lindstrom before Jaida receives free dental care during the TeamSmile Dental Tailgate. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
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.
Former Kansas City Chiefs player Gary Stills holds the hand of Deonna Jones, 7, of Kansas City, before she had some free dental work done during the TeamSmile dental tailgate. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com