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

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is almost here, and the Fergus Burris Team is thankful for all our wonderful patients and friends that make each day extraordinary!

Since the holiday season is about to begin, what are you thankful for?

Share a response in the comments section, or head over to our Facebook Fan Page to join the conversation!

Happy Thanksgiving,

--Drs. Burris and Fergus

Sady Martin Receives S4L Orthodontic Scholarship

Sady Martin has recently received braces from the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, NEA/Bootheel of Missouri. Sady is the 13-year-old daughter of Gerald Martin of Malvern, AR. She is in the eighth grade and is involved in basketball, cheerleading, track, and softball. In a reference letter, Shelly Snowden, a family friend, said, “Sady deserves these braces. She is a beautiful person on the inside and just needs a bit of help on the outside. I know if she receives this, it will be something that she will appreciate for the rest of her life.”

Along with her application, there were many reference letters describing how delightful and strong Sady is. After reading her application, the Nea/Bootheel of Missouri Smile for a Lifetime board of directors selected her as a recipient of orthodontic care free of charge. Way to go, Sady! We know you will do many good things in the future, and we wish you the best!

--The Fergus Burris team

Join the Us and Help Feed Neighbors in Need

Help us feed neighbors in need! Orthodontics by the Fergus-Burris Team is collecting nonperishable foods until December 16 for their Feeding Neighbors in Need project. All food collected will be donated to needy families in Northeast Arkansas.

Patients will receive one Fergus-Burris Buck for each canned item they donate. Drop off items at our Jonesboro, West Memphis, Forrest City and Paragould locations or call (870) 972-8294 for more information.

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