Local dentist gives children reason to smile

Greencastle youngster Jordan Gill, a first-grader at Deer Meadow Elementary, takes her turn in the dentist chair Friday while Dr. John Hennette examines her teeth and Greencastle Community School nurse Polly Shuee looks on.

Greencastle dentist Dr. John Hennette was smiling extra big Friday as he moved about his practice wearing his Sponge Bob Squarepants-adorned scrubs.

The whole office was abuzz with activity as children from schools across Putnam County waited for their turn in the exam chair as part of a national initiative titled "Give Kids A Smile" Day.

What makes these kids special is that for a lot of them, a trip to the dentist is a rare occasion, which is why Hennette stepped up to offer his services to the children, free of charge.

Hennette added to his normal routine Friday morning by caring for more than a dozen local children who may otherwise not get the oral care they need, either because their families don't have adequate insurance or don't qualify for government assistance.

"I think it's a wonderful way to offer something to families in need, especially in a small community," Hennette told the BannerGraphic as he worked.

Hennette has been offering the service for the past seven years, but he is not the only dentist across the nation to provide care for children in need.

According to the American Dental Association, nearly 760,000 children received dental exams and care through the "Give Kids A Smile" program last year. The program has its roots in St. Louis where a group of dentists cared for 400 children in 2002.

Back home in Greencastle, Dr. Hennette saw young patients from schools in Greencastle, Cloverdale, North Putnam and South Putnam on Friday morning.

"I don't know how the kids feel," Hennette joked. "But it makes the staff here feel great. It helps bring things to the forefront every year and calls attention to some of the needs of the community that we don't see all the time."

GCSC nurse Polly Shuee coordinated getting the kids to the dentist office Friday and told the BannerGraphic she is happy to be part of the effort as well.

"Dr. Hennette is a wonderful provider for that," she said. "He is the only dentist locally to step up and provide."

More information of the "Give Kids a Smile" program is available online at www.ada.org