Houston's Mayor's Back 2 School and Health Fair returns Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the George R. Brown Convention Center, where organizers plan to give away 20,000 backpacks and offer free dental screenings and sealants alongside vision, mental health, and immunization services for Houston-area elementary school students. The event is presented by Shell and run with the Houston Food Bank and the City of Houston, and it builds on a year-round Houston Health Foundation program, Project Saving Smiles, that has already delivered more than 100,000 free dental screenings to local children.
What is the Mayor's Back 2 School and Health Fair?
It is a free, one-day event at the George R. Brown Convention Center where economically disadvantaged elementary school families can pick up backpacks and school supplies and get their children screened for dental, vision, and mental health needs before classes resume. The 2026 fair runs Saturday, August 1, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with 20,000 backpacks planned for distribution, according to the Houston Food Bank and the City of Houston's official event page at houstontx.gov/btsf.
What dental services will be offered at the August 1 fair?
Children can receive on-site dental screenings and sealants at no cost, alongside vision screenings, mental health screenings, and routine immunizations. Organizers describe the fair as a way to connect families to health and social services from community agencies in one visit, rather than requiring separate appointments before the first day of school.
How does the fair connect to Houston's Project Saving Smiles program?
The one-day fair sits on top of a much larger, year-round effort. Project Saving Smiles, a partnership between the Houston Health Department and the Houston Health Foundation, has completed more than 100,000 free dental screenings and provided sealants to 177,000 students across more than 200 Houston-area schools, according to Community Impact (June 2026). The program focuses on second graders, the age when permanent molars typically erupt and become candidates for protective sealants, and prioritizes schools where at least half the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, per the Houston Health Department.
Key facts at a glance
- 20,000 backpacks planned for distribution at the August 1, 2026 fair, according to the Houston Food Bank (2026)
- More than 100,000 free dental screenings and sealants for 177,000 students completed through Project Saving Smiles across 200-plus Houston schools, per Community Impact (June 2026)
- The Houston Health Department cites more than 51 million school hours lost nationally each year to dental-related illness (Houston Health Department, 2026)
"A toothache is one of the leading reasons for absences for missing school," said Robin Mansur, president of the Houston Health Foundation, describing why the organization treats dental care as core to getting children ready for the classroom.
Why do dental screenings matter before the school year starts?
Untreated tooth pain and infection are a documented driver of missed class time, and a quick screening can catch cavities or a child's need for sealants before they turn into an emergency mid-semester. Dr. Mary Hayes, a pediatric dentist and American Dental Association spokesperson, put it plainly in ADA guidance for families: "When people are beginning to do their pediatrician checks to make sure their kids are school-ready, make sure teeth are part of it." That advice lines up with why the Houston fair pairs dental screenings with the same table as vision and immunization checks rather than treating oral health as an afterthought.
How can Houston families register and what should they bring?
Participating students must be registered in advance for the fair. Families can find registration flyers and full details at houstontx.gov/btsf. The event targets elementary school students and their families, and organizers recommend arriving early since supplies and screening slots are distributed on a first-come basis until they run out.
| Program | Format | Scale | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor's Back 2 School and Health Fair | Single-day event, August 1, 2026 | Up to 20,000 backpacks distributed | Families who need a fast, one-stop screening plus school supplies |
| Project Saving Smiles | Year-round, in-school missions | 100,000-plus screenings, 177,000 sealants to date | Second graders at qualifying Title I-type schools needing ongoing care |
What if a child needs follow-up dental treatment after the screening?
A screening identifies problems, it does not replace a full course of treatment. Children flagged for cavities or other issues are referred onward, and families who need to line up a regular dentist before or after the fair can search local providers such as Emergency Dental Center in Houston for ongoing or urgent care. Families in other Texas cities can also see how a similar model played out at the Dallas Mayor's 30th Annual Back to School Fair, which is running its own free dental screening event a week later, on August 7.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mayor's Back 2 School and Health Fair free?
Yes. It is free to attend, with free backpacks, school supplies, and health screenings, including dental screenings and sealants, presented by Shell alongside the Houston Food Bank and City of Houston.
Do families need to register in advance?
Yes, participating students must be registered. Registration details and flyers are posted at houstontx.gov/btsf.
Who is eligible for Project Saving Smiles during the school year?
The program primarily serves second-grade students at Houston-area elementary schools where at least 50 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, according to the Houston Health Department.
What other health services are offered besides dental care?
The fair also includes vision screenings, mental health screenings, and routine immunizations, along with connections to community health and social service agencies.
Updated July 2026.
