PrairieStar Health Center to host comedy fundraiser for new dental clinic
Information obtained from hutchinsonfox.com and pshcks.org/bridgingthegap/
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — PrairieStar Health Center will host "Smiles for Smiles," a family-friendly comedy fundraiser, April 30 at the Fox Theater to benefit its campaign to build a new dental clinic.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature Nashville-based comedian Rik Roberts, known for his appearances on DryBar Comedy and SiriusXM radio and his commitment to 100% clean comedy. Roberts, a married father of two, draws material from everyday family life. He has also appeared on PureFlix Comedy All-Stars and holds a Guinness World Record for the longest stand-up comedy show, a performance that lasted more than seven days.
Proceeds from ticket sales will support PrairieStar's "Bridging the Gap in Access to Rural Dental Care" project and help unlock a $600,000 Mabee Foundation challenge grant. To receive the grant, PrairieStar must raise $676,300 from donors by Jan. 13, 2027.
The planned facility will span 14,900 square feet and will house 14 dental suites, including one fully accessible for patients in wheelchairs. The new clinic is set to break ground this summer, on property just west of the current facility.
Eight of the nine counties PrairieStar primarily serves face a severe shortage of dental care providers, with population-to-dentist ratios significantly higher than the Kansas state average. The expanded space is expected to open access to dental care for more than 2,000 additional patients each year.
PrairieStar is a Federally Qualified Health Center based in Hutchinson that has received 42 national quality awards. The organization currently provides dental outreach at 64 school attendance centers, as well as nursing homes and facilities serving individuals with disabilities.
"We are excited to bring the community together for a night of laughter while supporting a meaningful goal," said PrairieStar Marketing Director Kyran Losew. "This new building will allow us to expand services and continue providing high-quality dental care to the families we serve."
PrairieStar launched a three-year, $9.6 million capital campaign in November 2025 to fund the project.
Tickets are available at hutchinsonfox.com. For more information on the campaign or to donate, visit pshcks.org/bridgingthegap/.