Sharks Foundation teams up to bring free dental care to Bay Area kids

A new partnership between the Sharks Foundation and Healthier Kids Foundation is set to improve dental care for young children in the Bay Area. The initiative, launched at Lowell Elementary School in San Jose, will provide free screenings and education to around 1,600 students aged 5 to 12 during the 2025-26 school year.

The effort comes as part of a $40,000 Community Assist Grant aimed at expanding access to oral healthcare for local youth.

The collaboration kicked off with a dental health activation at Lowell Elementary School. Students received free dental screenings and a visit from S.J. Sharkie, the Sharks' mascot. San Jose District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos also attended, stressing the importance of early oral healthcare for children.

To further support the program, the Sharks Video Productions team created an educational tutorial featuring S.J. Sharkie. Scheduled for release in March 2026, the video will teach young students essential oral health habits in an engaging way. The grant funding will specifically back the Healthier Kids Foundation's *Dental First* program. Its goal is to bridge the gap in access to dentists and quality oral healthcare for Bay Area youth. Beyond screenings, the partnership will supply resources to help students maintain good oral health, both in school and at home.

The initiative will reach approximately 1,600 children across the region in the coming school year. Free dental screenings and educational materials will be provided to support long-term oral health. The Sharks Foundation and Healthier Kids Foundation remain committed to ensuring young students have the tools they need for healthy development.