Nonprofit turns America First Field into a free dental clinic for Jordan District students

SANDY — TeamSmile, a nonprofit that partners with sports teams, held a free dental clinic for children at America First Field in Sandy on Friday, Oct. 9, with Jordan School District schools and Real Salt Lake as partners 12.

Local dentists, hygienists and volunteers gave underserved children cleanings, screenings and immediate treatments at zero cost to the students or the district, according to the district 2. The district's account says dozens of students were given dental checkups and preventive care 2. KSL reported that the children also received fillings, and that athletes, mascots and music were part of the event 1.

Children were selected in advance from underserved communities, and TeamSmile works with schools serving students who may face barriers to dental care, including schools with high numbers of students receiving free or reduced-price meals 1. "We target children that genuinely need the help," John McCarthy, TeamSmile's executive director, told KSL, saying the organization works with schools that are Title 1 or have a very high population of students receiving free and reduced-price lunch 1.

The nonprofit's own program list dates its Real Salt Lake program to Oct. 9, 2026, with Delta Dental, Overjet and Sun Life/DentaQuest listed as sponsors 3. On its site TeamSmile states that it has run more than 350 programs, served more than 65,000 children and provided more than $24 million in free dental care and oral health education, and that a dental home project connects at-risk children with a dentist for long-term care 4. KSL reported TeamSmile's figure as more than $25 million in free dental services to more than 70,000 children 1.

The district said the aim is to keep oral health problems from turning into school absences and classroom distractions, and that the collaboration among schools, the sports organization and dental professionals is meant to leave students with follow-up support 2. KSL reported that TeamSmile also works to connect children with dentists for continued treatment, and that the organization is seeking more local dentists and volunteers for future events 1.

Neither the district nor KSL named any of the children who were treated 12.

Sources: 1 KSL.com, "TeamSmile brings free dental care to children at America First Field," by Madi Vollmer, Oct. 9, 2026 — https://www.ksl.com/article/51634552/teamsmile-brings-free-dental-care-to-children-at-america-first-field 2 Jordan School District, "Nonprofit Teams with Jordan School District and Real Salt Lake to Provide Free Dental Care to Students," Oct. 12, 2026 — https://jordandistrict.org/2026/10/nonprofit-teams-with-jordan-school-district-and-real-salt-lake-to-provide-free-dental-care-to-students/ 3 TeamSmile, programs and dates (completed programs 2026) — https://www.teamsmile.org/programs/ 4 TeamSmile, organizational home page (program totals and dental home project) — https://www.teamsmile.org/