Smile for a Lifetime Foundation and Ormco Partner to Provide Free Orthodontic Treatment to Underserved Kids in Need

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation announced today it has signed an exclusive arrangement with Ormco Corp. to help deliver pro bono orthodontic treatment services to underprivileged children throughout the country.

Ormco, a leading manufacturer of innovative orthodontic appliances and supplies, will provide products free of charge to orthodontists affiliated with Smile for a Lifetime to treat underserved children. Smile for a Lifetime is a non-profit organization that works nationally with orthodontists to provide treatment scholarships to underprivileged children whose families would not otherwise be able to afford treatment.

“I’m thrilled to have such a well-respected company like Ormco understand the importance of giving,” said David B. Carter, DMD, national president of Smile for a Lifetime. “They are giving back in so many ways: to the lives they will change by sponsoring this charitable foundation and to our profession by helping the public see us as not only health care providers, but also as health care givers. In this, and many other ways, Ormco continues to be a truly visionary company.”

Ormco will donate a number of state-of-the-art appliances including the Damon® System, a combination of tie-less braces and high-tech memory archwires that help clinicians treat patients quickly and comfortably. Doctors also will have access to the Simpli5™ express aligner system through Ormco’s AOA Orthodontic Laboratory, which manufacturers customized appliances.

In addition, Ormco manufactures Insignia™ advance smile design, a combination of 3-D digital treatment planning software and custom-designed brackets and wires tailored to a patient’s specific dental anatomy.

With average treatment fees ranging from $5,000 or more, orthodontia can be financially challenging for many parents. Smile for a Lifetime helps build self-confidence, inspire hope and change the lives of children by providing scholarships for orthodontic treatment in communities around the country. Each year, Smile for a Lifetime reviews hundreds of applicants before selecting those who will receive treatment based on financial need, letters of recommendation, community involvement and special circumstances. To date, the organization has provided more than $2 million in orthodontic care for individuals who cannot afford treatment and may not have other opportunities to acquire assistance.

“Orthodontists affiliated with the foundation donate their services, while this new arrangement with Ormco ensures that the appliances they use will be available without any out-of-pocket expenses,” said Dr. Carter.

“Ormco is a recognized leader in orthodontic supplies, ingenuity and education,” said Dr. Donald Montano, a long-time Smile for a Lifetime provider and chapter leader in California. “I have been a long-time user of Ormco products and am very pleased to have their support. While I’m happy for their support, I’m also not surprised. It’s what great companies do!”

“We are so proud to support the exceptional work that Smile for a Lifetime and their affiliated orthodontists around the country are doing to change the lives of children,” said Ken Konopa, Ormco president. “A beautiful smile can literally transform the life of an individual, giving them the confidence they need to pursue their dreams. This isn’t just about straightening teeth; it’s about giving underserved children a chance at a happier, more successful future.”

About Ormco
Celebrating 50 years of providing innovative products and services, Ormco helps orthodontists deliver exceptional clinical results in the least amount of time and with the greatest patient comfort. The company is a subsidiary of Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc., a leading manufacturer of a broad range of value-added products for the dental profession, including the specialty markets of orthodontics, endodontics and implantology, and a variety of infection prevention products for use by the medical profession. For more information, visit www.ormco.com.


About Smile For A Lifetime
Smile for a Lifetime Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization that provides orthodontic care to individuals who may not have the opportunity to acquire assistance. Launched in 2008, Smile for a Lifetime Foundation aims to reach individuals with financial challenges, special situations, and orthodontic needs. The Foundation sponsors the orthodontic care of hundreds of patients each year. For more information, visit www.S4L.org.

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, Changing Lives and Practices Across the Country

Take a minute to read a great article about how Smile for a Lifetime Foundation is changing lives and practices across the country. Read Full Article Here >>

--The Fergus Burris Team

A Boost In Confidence for a Smile For A Lifetime patient

Smile of a Lifetime patient Katy Garner was recently been crowned homecoming queen at her junior high school in Weiner, AR! Patricia Hesse, Katy’s teacher and person responsible for nominating her, said that “Katy’s confidence has taken off since receiving her braces".

The first time Katy applied for braces with Smile for a Lifetime she was not chosen. However, because of her determination, she reapplied, improved her application, and was awarded an orthodontic scholarship. She received her gift of braces in March of 2009.

Katy is described by Ms. Hesse as “a gifted student” and rates Katy “at the top of her class for her willingness to serve others without the promise of personal gain.” Katy is being raised by her grandmother.

We wanted to share this news with you, as it demonstrates that Smile for a Lifetime is directly paying off in these children's lives. For Katy the payoff will be confidence, joy, and a beautiful smile and these attributes stay with an individual forever.

-The Fergus Burris Team

Kobei, another lucky recipient of a S4L scholarship

We wanted to congratulate the latest recipient of a Smile For a Lifetime Scholarship, Kobei Mooney.

Kobei is 10 years old and attends Faulk Elementary School in West Memphis. He is very artistic, with painting, drawing and poems being his favorites. He is also a basketball player, and the season starts this week!

Kobei is very shy when people try to help him, however, he likes to help others and knows braces will help him help others. Upon hearing of winning the orthodontic scholarship, Kobei was “overwhelmed with excitement and joy”, saying it “was like a dream come true”. His mom said that this will help make Kobei more confident and outgoing.

Of the donors to Smile for a Lifetime, she would say: “they will never know the true reality of their generous blessing”. Although Kobei’s dad had to be in Virginia the day he got his braces on, mom taped the entire thing so that his proud father would not miss anything. Kobei’s grandparents also came to see him get his braces on, as was Mrs. Donald, the principal at Faulk Elementary. She said that the entire family is a joy to have in school.

Christie George, Kobei’s teacher for English and Science last year, said that he maintained a’s in both subjects all year, even entering an essay contest about “Random Acts of Kindness” that won for his school and went on to represent Faulk at the next level.

His dentist, Dr. Debi Williams, who told his mom about the foundation, thinks he is a pretty great kid as well, saying that she knows he will “make her proud”.


Congratulations Kobei!

Kevin Johnson, another S4L Recipient, Gets His Braces On!

You may have remembered reading the wonderful application that we posted from Kevin Johnson's family a few weeks ago. Kevin was awarded a Smile For A Lifetime Orthodontic Scholarship from The Fergus Burris Team and KISS FM Jonesboro. Kevin got his braces on last Tuesday, and the photo above shows him and his family with Dr. Burris and Brandon Baxter from KISS FM.

Congratulations Kevin, you are on the road to a great new smile!

Smile For a Lifetime Patient Kathleen gets her braces off!

The photo above is the very first Smile for a Lifetime recipient to get her braces off. Her name is Kathleen Otterpohl, and she got her braces off on Tuesday. Check out the quote about Kathleen below from the national Smile for a Lifetime director, Aimee Spencer:

Kathleen's reference letters were fantastic and I believe that is why she stood out so much to the local board. She had one letter from her dental hygienist who knew her personally. She had another letter from a family that she babysat for. They talked about what a good person Kathleen was, and how she would often forgo hanging out with friends and school activities so she could work (babysit) for extra money to help her Mom out. Her mom is a school teacher and also drives the bus for extra money. Going by memory, Kathleen is/was very involved in church. The day the braces were removed, Kathleen's mom cried just about the whole time. She was so appreciative and said many times "God bless S4L". She thanked everyone, and told us what an answered prayer this experience was.

Congratulations on your new smile Kathleen!

-The Fergus Burris Team

Congratulations to Kevin, winner of an Orthodontic Scholarship!

Drs. Burris and Fergus teamed up with KISS FM Jonesboro to award a Smile for a Lifetime scholarship to Kevin Johnson of Kennett, MO. Take a look at the heartwarming application that Kevin's parents submitted, below:

Kevin is my 16 year old stepson. He has a twin brother Keith, a 14 year old sister Kara and a 15 month old sister Alayna. (Keith & Kara are from my husbands 1st marriage). Keith and Kara were both born with a bone disorder called Morquio Syndrome (like the little boy in Simon Birch). It causes their bodies to stop growing, but their organs continue to grow. Not long after they were diagnosed, their mom decided to leave them. They have been with their dad for several years.

As long as I've been a part of their lives, Kevin has been a HUGE part in taking care of Keith and Kara. He helps them get on and off of the bus. He carries them upstairs to their classroom at church. Helps get them something to drink when they're thirsty, turns the lights on and off for them...basically anything that most of us take for granted, he does for them. He's also a big help with the baby. Over the years, Keith and Kara have had to have several surgeries and have required lots of attention. Kevin never complained. I've seen him give up chances to go places and do things simply becauce Keith and Kara can't.

He's a very hard worker and would do anything for anyone. I feel that he deserves something special in return. We just today found a dentist in the area that accepts Medicaid so we are in the process of getting him an appt. there. I had to have braces as a child and my teeth didn't look near as bad as his do so we're pretty sure he's going to have to have braces.

I think Smile for a Lifetime is an awesome program and Kevin would be so excited if he qualified. Thank you.

Nikki Perkins Receives Orthodontic Scholarship

Congratulate Nikki Perkins! She recently received braces from the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, NEA/Bootheel of Missouri. Nikki is the 13-year-old daughter of Barry and Donna Perkins of Hot Springs, AR. She is currently in the seventh grade and is involved in Locks of Love and basketball. Nikki said that she would to receive braces so that she will smile more and not feel self-conscious. In her application, her mother said, “Nikki is going to start a new school next year, and this will give her more confidence...Maybe she will smile with her teeth showing more.”

All letters of recommendation that accompanied Nikki’s application spoke of what a caring and giving heart Nikki has. The Nea/Bootheel of Missouri Smile for a Lifetime board of directors selected Nikki as a recipient of orthodontic care at no cost. Congratulations Nikki! We expect to see great things out of Nikki and wish her the best as she is on her way to a new smile.

--The Fergus Burris Team

Candice Beakley Receives Orthodontic Scholarship

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, NEA/Bootheel of Missouri is pleased to announce that Candice Beakley recently received an orthodontic scholarship! Candice is the 17 year-old daughter of Kathy Beakley of Paragould. Kathy wrote in Candace’s application, “The gap in her teeth causes her to be overly self-conscience. She lacks self confidence even though I and all those around her can see she has the potential of being a leader…All through her childhood no dentist ever told me that Candice was born without the two teeth that has resulted in this large gap.

"Candice has the normal stress of teenagers and school but this gap causes her stress level to sky rocket at times and she ends up with migraine headaches. She is a good, kind descent person who deserves this procedure.” The NEA/Bootheel of Missouri Board of Directors decided Candice was an excellent candidate and awarded the orthodontic scholarship. Way to go Candace and congratulations on beginning the process of your new smile!

--The Fergus Burris Team