More than 300 children from across the metro poured into Arrowhead—not to cheer on the Chiefs, but to get their teeth checked out in what was coined the 2025 Dental Tailgate in September.
The youth were greeted not only by dental chairs and hygienists but also by cheerleaders, music and the occasional Chiefs player, who stopped in to give encouragement.
The Chiefs’ involvement brought a unique energy. Several players signed autographs, cheered kids through their appointments and, along with the cheerleaders, turned the clinical setting into something closer to a pep rally. “To see a child nervous about the dentist and then light up when a player kneels down beside them—that’s why this partnership matters,” said Anthony Davis, Chiefs Ambassador and former player, in a statement provided by the team.
The impact is not small. According to the Delta Dental Foundation, nearly 20 percent of children in Missouri face untreated dental decay, a statistic that disproportionately affects low-income families. Events like TeamSmile’s aim to close that gap one child at a time.
The event was staffed with volunteer dentists and hygienists, who provided free cleanings, exams and preventive care. For many of the children, it was their first time in a dental chair. “Some of these kids don’t have a regular dental home,” TeamSmile Executive Director John McCarthy said in a statement.
“By being here today, we’re not only treating immediate needs but also helping families find long-term care.”