Another successful Give Kids a Smile day

To the Editor:

I wanted to thank everyone for the time and effort in making our participation in the Give Kids a Smile program very successful.

The program has now been in effect for the children of Putnam County 12 years, and through the efforts of many individuals, we were able to treat 18 children. Several will require additional visits to complete the necessary treatment to gain complete dental health.

I would like to thank Kim McMains and Heather Lewis, who tirelessly screened children at all the elementary schools working closely with the school nursing staffs to find eligible children.

To the nursing staffs of South Putnam, Cloverdale and Greencastle school corporations; Rita Bain, Kelly Stevens, Rhonda Kessler and Polly Shuee, who despite busy schedules, were willing to appreciate dental health as an important part of the overall well-being of their students. It is greatly appreciated to have the support of the county school administrators, principals and faculty in achieving these goals.

The rest of my staff, Carrie Hubbard, Jennifer McCallie, Morgan Christy, Bailey Ault, Nicole Welty and Cindy Hennette, also deserve many thanks for volunteering during their time off to dedicate their skills in helping treat and educate these deserving children on the benefits of good dental health.

The support of Henry Schein Dental, who supplied much of the take-home material, was greatly appreciated as was the enthusiastic coverage by Eric Bernsee and the Banner Graphic.

We appreciated the kindness of the Pizza Hut staff that came in early to prepare a lunch for the children at the office that would be missing their school lunchtimes.

Lastly, to the very brave children we met and their families in allowing us to care for them, our profound thanks.

Lots of smiling faces graced our office in spite of the "anxiety" dentistry sometimes elicits. Several of these children had never experienced being in a dental office. Our dental staff truly enjoyed the experience.

Thank you all.

John D. Hennette, D.D.S.

Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry