Smile for a Lifetime – Progress Report

Since Brian Williams spoke about Smile for a Lifetime Foundation on NBC's Nightly News, David Carter, Aimee Spencer and I have been overrun with inquiries from orthodontists who are ready to start a local chapter. This is a very exciting time as the National Board of Directors finalizes the national bylaws and puts the finishing touches on the organizational and logistical aspects of S4L becoming a truly national nonprofit. We have the foundation up and going in our test practices and have almost finished working out the kinks. We now have a clear blueprint for other orthodontists to follow to make it easy for them to get up and running and to help accomplish our national goal: treat lots and lots of kids who would not get braces otherwise! We are hoping for an endorsement from the American Association of Orthodontists soon and plan to grant widespread access to the S4L model at the same time it is endorsed by the AAO. When Smile for a Lifetime is endorsed, any AAO member in good standing will be eligible to form a Smile for a Lifetime Foundation local chapter. The National Board of Directors will take applications and insure an orderly progression as S4L rolls out nationwide. We are so excited about the thousands of kids that will be treated by all the wonderful orthodontists who are so generously giving of their time and talent that words cannot describe how we feel…

Brian Williams Increases S4L’s Visibility

Another banner day for Smile for a Lifetime Foundation! In the wake of Brian Williams talking about Smile for a Lifetime Foundation last night on the 6:00 news, Aimee Spencer, David Carter and I are getting blown up with emails, phone calls and texts from orthodontists who want to join the cause and integrate S4L in their community. We have also been contacted by numerous folks in need of braces and wanting to know if there is a Smile for a Lifetime chapter near them or if there will be one soon. I wish I could call Brian Williams and thank him for all he has done by choosing to mention S4L on his news cast. I wonder if he has any idea how many thousands of lives he has and will touch by spreading the word about the foundation. What a great concept – talking about good news on the nightly news. He is a genius. I suspect that the coverage S4L got last night will only lead to more interest and more coverage. Our goal from the beginning was to treat as many kids in need as possible and we believe that the more exposure the foundation gets, the more orthodontists we will be able to recruit to the cause and, ultimately, the more children that will receive desperately needed orthodontic treatment free of charge. What a great time to be alive. I suspect what is to come will surpass even my wildest dreams…

Brian Williams Talks About S4L on The Nightly News!

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation made the Nightly News with Brian Williams! My awesome wife Bridget has given us unprecedented coverage and access to orthodontists across the country with her heartfelt email that Brian read on air tonight. I am so fortunate to be married to such a lady! We are already receiving emails from across the country from orthodontists who want to start a local chapter and folks in need of braces, and we are so excited to reach such a broad audience. The foundation continues to grow and we hope to have the American Association of Orthodontists endorse Smile for a Lifetime in the near future. Have a look at Brian’s piece on the Foundation at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#29843671 .

Free Dentistry! Dr. Justin Bethel Gives Benton, AR Something to Smile About

We were seeing patients yesterday in our Benton, AR office and I had a chance to visit with Dr. Justin Bethel. He and I went to dental school together and are long time friends. A couple weeks ago, Aimee Spencer and I asked Dr. Bethel to donate his precious time to Smile for a Lifetime Foundation Central Arkansas and serve as a member of the Board of Directors. He graciously agreed. When I spoke to Justin yesterday, he said all that is happening with S4L has inspired him to action. He and his staff at Benton Dental Associates have decided to give away free emergency dental care one day a month! Justin said he has worked in a free clinic that already serves the Benton/Bryant, AR area and he enjoyed giving back so much that he thinks it is time to do more. I’m so excited that Justin has decided to give of his time and hard won talents to the people in his home town. I cannot think of a greater service than reliving pain and suffering for someone who cannot otherwise afford dental care. Way to go Dr. Bethel – we are so proud of you and look forward to hearing about your good work in the future!
If you know someone in need of emergency dental care in the Benton/Bryant area, please call Benton Dental Associates at 501-794-4646 for a schedule of the days free treatment will be done.

Smile for a Lifetime: Augusta, Georgia

I was lucky enough to spend some time with Dr David Carter on Sunday and Monday. I got to visit his office and he and his wife were gracious enough to let me stay Sunday night in their home. David has been practicing orthodontics in Augusta for 20 years and has an unbelievable mind. His practice is top notch and I learned a great deal during my short stay. As well as being an orthodontic superstar in his own right, David is the new Chairman of the National Board of Directors for Smile for a Lifetime Foundation. From the time I met him I knew he would be the one to tackle the challenge and take the foundation to the next level. Just a few weeks ago he decided to start a Smile for a Lifetime chapter in Augusta, GA and it is already well on the way. The local board of directors he has recruited is out of sight in terms of talent, connections and influence and I assure you that his chapter of S4L will be one to watch.
In addition to an awesome wife, two great kids, and an all star local board of directors, David has another ace up his sleeve: Allyson Davis. I spent some time with her today and she is on fire for the foundation and is always looking for ways to improvise, maximize, and grow the S4L by any means necessary. Allyson is the one who came up with the best idea of the entire two day brain storming session – she has figured out a way to do local and national fund raising for S4L and further involve our communities. Miss Smile for a Lifetime pageants will be our vehicle and I am so excited about it. What could be a better venue to promote the foundation and raise money to treat those who are in desperate need but cannot afford orthodontic care? More to come on this as soon as we work out the details. The Augusta chapter and the NE Arkansas chapter will be in a race to see who can crown the first Miss Smile for a Lifetime, do a great job putting on a stellar pageant, and raise a lot of money for a good cause. It will be awesome.

Smile for a Lifetime Central Arkansas Unveiled

The press announcement for Smile for a Lifetime Central Arkansas has been set:

When: Friday, April 3rd, at Noon

Where: Benton, Arkansas
Judge Herzfeld's courtroom (the old sheriff’s office)
321 North Main in downtown Benton

A general overview of the counties covered and the application process will be given. Also, we will reveal the all star board of directors hand picked to serve our community. Finally, the name of the first person in Central Arkansas to receive free orthodontic treatment from Smile for a Lifetime Foundation will be announced!
Aimee and I are very excited and have been overrun with calls from folks who want to submit applications and those who want to serve on the board of directors. What exciting times we live in. Arkansans never cease to amaze me when it comes to generosity and supporting one another. I can’t think of a better place to live, practice and raise my children. We are so blessed to be a small part of our wonderful state and this great country…

By the way, Lee Lamberson is now a local celebrity in Northeast Arkansas. Check out his debut on KAIT 8 TV at http://www.kait8.com/global/category.asp?c=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=104015&topVideoCatNoB=109374&topVideoCatNoC=114876&topVideoCatNoD=109122&topVideoCatNoE=120883&clipId=3537250&topVideoCatNo=160818&autoStart=true

Form more information email Aimee Spencer at smileforalifetime@yahoo.com.

Lee Lamberson receives braces from S4L today!

The second recipient of free orthodontic treatment for the month of March also got his braces today. Lee Lamberson is a senior at Jonesboro High School and is very involved in the theater program. He was described by his drama teacher as being, “a very talented actor who won’t let his enthusiasm show because of his smile”. Lee has plans to attend college in the fall and wants to major in theater.
Dawn Tucker, JHS drama teacher said, “His current smile will hinder him in this endeavor [college major in drama]. He is a versatile theater student working both on stage and back stage but he will be forced to work back stage without your [S4L] help”. We are so glad to grant Lee’s wish for a great smile to go along with is wonderful talent. We know that this will increase his confidence and self image and help him achieve his dreams.
When asked how he felt about being selected by S4L Lee said, “I would like to say how grateful I really am. I never in all my life thought that something like this would happen to me. When my teacher told me I was selected I almost cried. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
What more can I add…
Be sure to catch Lee on KAIT 8 TV tonight at 5 and 6 pm or on the website at http://www.kait8.com/ .

Katy Gardner and grandma

A couple pics of Katy getting her braces and with grandma. It has been a great morning!

Katy Gardner gets her braces!

This morning Katy Gardner from Weiner, Arkansas is getting her braces free of charge courtesy of Smile for a Lifetime Foundation of Northeast Arkansas. We are so excited and know that this gift will make a huge change in the life of an awesome young lady. Katy is an 8th grader who wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up. She said in her hand written letter accompanying her application, “The day my grandma said I got free braces I was thrilled. When I receive my free braces it will be the happiest day of my life. I won’t be self conscience any more. I will be able to smile without thinking about my teeth.”
We believe that by helping Katy feel good about herself and have the confidence to smile will give her the best shot at fulfilling her potential and achieving her goals. “I am always grossed out by my teeth, but when I get my braces off I will smile and be a happier person,” Katy said. I couldn’t have said it better myself!

S4L Expands; Dr. Hottel Rocks!

This week has started off with a bang! Aimee Spencer, the National Executive Director of Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, reports that there are close to 40 orthodontist in varying stages of starting their very own chapter of S4L! What an awesome change these members of the Schulman Study Group will make for children in desperate need of care all over the USA. In a time when most businesses are tightening their belts and cutting back on charitable giving, these businessmen and women are actually giving away thousands of dollars in treatment to the most vulnerable in their communities! S4L’s National Board of Directors has added a new member yesterday – Dr. David Carter, an orthodontist who practices in Augusta, GA as well as in SC. David has a fire in his belly and uncanny insight and he brings so much to the already formidable talent on the Board of Directors. A list of all the Board of Directors members and their bios can be found on the website smileforalifetimefoundation.com . The Board is also busily working on a business plan to present to the American Association of Orthodontists Task Force on Access to Care. S4L is one of three programs the AAO is considering adopting in doing its part to address the issue of access to care.
We are well on our way to getting the Central Arkansas chapter of Smile for a Lifetime up and going. Aimee Spencer has hand picked a knockout board of directors to oversee this chapter which will treat 12 patients each year free of charge. The official press release to announce the all star board members will be April 3rd at noon and we will also learn the name of the first recipient of free orthodontic care. Between the Central Arkansas and the Northeast Arkansas chapters of Smile for a Lifetime, almost half the state is covered!
On another note, I went to lunch today with Dr. Hottel, Dean of the UT College of Dentistry in Memphis and I have to say he is an awesome guy. He has the knowledge, experience and vision to pull our school into the modern era – and just in time as far as I’m concerned. Dr. Hottel has big plans to upgrade the curriculum, research capabilities and the physical plant and will need alumni support to make up for the dwindling government funds. He told me today that he will increase the number of Arkansas students admitted by 5 this year and has plans to take even more Arkansas students if his negotiations with the state are successful. We sure could use the dental professionals in Arkansas! If you get the chance I highly recommend you meet Dr. Hottel and support him in his crusade to put UT College of Dentistry on the map for all the right reasons.

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation

Big news last week, Smile for a Lifetime Foundation was adopted by the Schulman Study Group and is now a national nonprofit foundation. To give you some background, Smile for a Lifetime (S4L) orthodontic foundation was started in the fall of 2008 and our mission is "to create self confidence, inspire hope, and change the lives of children in our community in a dramatic way. The gift of a smile can do all this for a deserving, undeserved individual who, in turn, can use this gift to better themselves and our community." Our goal was to serve the children of NE Arkansas and the Bootheel of Missouri by providing no cost orthodontic care to two children a month who could not otherwise afford braces. We put the first two sets of braces on in December of 08 and it has gotten really interesting since then! Our board of directors has chosen six deserving recipients for the first quarter of 2009 and we have already put two sets of braces on in January and February and we will start the two cases for March next week. Applications are pouring in from all over the region and it is so great to be able to help folks and give back to the community that I love so much.
The Schulman Study group consists of 125 top tier practices in the US and Canada and our S4L's partnership with the SSG creates an awesome alliance that will result in thousands of children being treated across the country on an annual basis. We are so excited to have grown from a small regional charity to a national nonprofit organization. To learn more about the SSG visit the website at schulmanstudygroup.com . You can also visit the S4L website to check it out or get an application for yourself or for someone you know at smileforalifetimefoundation.com . While you are surfing the net, cruise on over to http://community.pennwelldentalgroup.com/ and vote for S4L in Penwell's dentistry in the community contest.