Nevada Health Centers and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas are running the 12th annual Smarts and Smiles Back to School Dental Care Fair from Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24, 2026, offering free dental exams to patients 21 and younger at the Ronald McDonald House in Las Vegas, regardless of insurance status. Families have through Friday to book an appointment before the mobile clinic packs up until next summer, and every child examined also goes home with a backpack of school supplies.
What is the Smarts and Smiles Dental Care Fair?
Smarts and Smiles is an annual, five day back to school event that brings Nevada Health Centers' Ronald McDonald Care Mobile to the Ronald McDonald House in Las Vegas so children and young adults can get a free oral exam before classes start. This year's event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, July 20 through July 24, 2026, and is now in its twelfth year, according to the Elko Daily Free Press.
- 2026 dates and hours: Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24, 2026, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Source: Elko Daily Free Press, 2026.
- Who qualifies: Patients 21 years old and younger, insured or uninsured, with most dental plans, Medicaid and Nevada Check Up accepted. Source: Elko Daily Free Press, 2026.
- Program milestone: The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile marked 20 years of service in Nevada in 2025, the year the fair held its 11th annual event. Source: News3LV, 2025.
Who is eligible for the free exams?
Any patient age 21 or younger can be seen, whether or not their family has dental coverage. Nevada Health Centers accepts most private dental plans along with Medicaid and Nevada Check Up, so the fair is built to reach families who might otherwise skip a checkup because of cost or a lack of insurance. Appointments are required rather than walk in, so families need to call ahead before Friday's cutoff.
How do families book an appointment before it ends?
Families can schedule a slot by calling 800.787.2568. Because the fair runs on a fixed five day schedule ending July 24, 2026, same day availability may be limited later in the week, so calling as early as possible improves the odds of getting seen before the mobile clinic leaves the Ronald McDonald House site.
Why does a mobile dental fair matter for back to school season?
Many school districts require or strongly recommend a dental exam before the first day of class, and a missed cavity can turn into a toothache that pulls a child out of school later in the semester. Events like Smarts and Smiles exist specifically to close that gap for families without an established dentist, by pairing a free exam with practical extras like a filled backpack, so the visit doubles as back to school prep. As Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas CEO Alyson McCarthy has put it in describing the Care Mobile's mission, "the Care Mobile is here to make sure those kids have healthy mouths and confident smiles as they head back to school."
How does this compare with other back to school dental events happening now?
| Event | Location | 2026 Dates | Who It Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smarts and Smiles Dental Care Fair | Las Vegas, NV | July 20 to 24 | Ages 21 and younger, insured or uninsured |
| West Sacramento Back to School Fair | West Sacramento, CA | July 25 | School age children |
| National Health Center Week | Nationwide health centers | August 2 to 8 | Families at participating community health centers |
A recurring theme across these events, also visible in the crowds described in our coverage of an Illinois free dental day tied to a school exam rule, is that demand for free or low cost pediatric dental access consistently outpaces what a single event can handle, which is why families are urged to call ahead rather than wait for a walk in slot.
What happens after the fair ends on July 24?
Families who miss this week's appointments, or whose child needs ongoing care after the exam, still need a regular dental home for the rest of the school year. Local pediatric practices such as Mountain's Edge Pediatric Dentistry in Las Vegas are among the options families can turn to for follow up cleanings, fillings or sealants once the mobile clinic moves on, so a Smarts and Smiles exam can be the start of a regular checkup routine rather than a one time visit.
FAQ
Do I need an appointment for Smarts and Smiles?
Yes. Appointments are required and can be booked by calling 800.787.2568, according to the Elko Daily Free Press.
Is the exam really free if my child has no dental insurance?
Yes. The fair is open to patients 21 and younger regardless of insurance status, and Nevada Health Centers also accepts Medicaid and Nevada Check Up for those who have it.
Where exactly is the fair held?
At the Ronald McDonald House in Las Vegas, run in partnership with Nevada Health Centers' Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, according to the Elko Daily Free Press.
What if my family cannot make it this week?
Families can look into National Health Center Week from August 2 to 8, 2026, at participating community health centers, or contact a local pediatric dental practice directly for a standard back to school checkup.
Updated July 2026.
