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/ .