SmileHealthy's Blog

Words Have Power – The Trillium Project

smilehealthy — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:54:20 +0000

This month, SmileHealthy is proud to present the Children’s Words for Art fundraiser. SmileHealthy has teamed up with artist Suzanne Loechl’s Trillium Project to create jewelry art that incorporates words from our very own young dental patients. Suzanne is both a talented and experienced artist who has helped SmileHealthy create a meaningful way to continue providing our patients with excellent oral health care.
Susanne developed the Trillium Project because she believes words have power. Out of her home studio in Champaign, she creates beautiful pendants from hand painted slate tiles to show commitment and support for those going through challenging circumstances. Typically, Susanne works exclusively with families or small groups of people connected to a particular or personal challenge; but she has done work with larger organizations as well.
Susanne says she was excited about the opportunity to work with SmileHealthy on the Words for Art fundraiser because it was a cause she felt strongly about supporting. “It’s important to support a cause,” Suzanne explained, particularly one that incorporates the words and voices of people facing significant life challenges. It was particularly rewarding for Suzanne to have staff and volunteers from SmileHealthy write the children’s words on the painted tiles that would eventually be made into pendants.
Not only did Suzanne compliment the near-perfect handwriting of volunteers Kimberly Oco, Claire Branda, and Ellen Dace, she was inspired by how excited and passionate the SmileHealthy staff was about being able to contribute something to the fundraiser. Suzanne encourages hands-on participation of those either touched by or personally facing the challenge, so it was special for the SmileHealthy staff to have the opportunity to help create the pendant art.
With the Children’s Words for Art reception in the near future and the pendant sale receiving attention within our office as well as the community, we can’t thank Suzanne enough for all her help and for sharing the Trillium Project with SmileHealthy.

Trillium Sale Event at Checkered Moon in Champaign, Sunday, November 20th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. For more information contact trillium@smilehealthy.org.

Everyone Was So Friendly And Warm

smilehealthy — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:54:06 +0000

Melvin Tillman, Urbana, IL a recent graduate of the University of Illinois was hoping to enter the U.S Marine Corp Officer Training Program and was surprised to learn that his teeth might keep out of the Marines.

“I knew something was wrong with my teeth, but I didn’t have money and my mom doesn’t have dental insurance,” said Tillman. “The Marines need officer candidates to be ready for an intensive two months of training and they worried my teeth might cause a problem.” Lacking the thousands of dollars needed to get the work done at a local dental office Tillman asked for help.

SmileHealthy first took the call from the Jacqueline Parks, Human Resources Assistant for the Marine Officer Selection Office looking for help for one of their recruits. He wanted to apply for the officer program, but needed to have dental work done. The Frances Nelson Dental Center was not open yet, but Jenny with SmileHealthy became Melvin’s advocate to be one of the first patients for the new center.

“Everyone at SmileHealthy was so friendly and warm. They even wished me a happy birthday,” said Tillman. SmileHealthy arranged with Tillman to be on call for one of the first open appointments.

Dr. Nguyen with the Frances Nelson Dental Center completed a treatment plan that included extracting two wisdom teeth and filling cavities in three others. Before Tillman goes off to the Marines, the dental team is working to schedule him for a hygiene appointment.

Melvin Tilman’s book (application) is now complete. Dental was last piece of the book and Tillman is under consideration for this competitive application. Parks and the Marine Office were very grateful for helping Tillman complete his requirements.

It was great to be there . . .

smilehealthy — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:50:52 +0000

Brandon Buchanan is a senior studying Community Health with a concentration in Health Planning and Administration at the University of Illinois. He is looking to pursue a master’s degree in Health Administration, with future goals of managing a health care organization and eventually becoming a CEO of a major hospital. Brandon also keeps busy as a University of Illinois Varsity Cheerleader.
Brandon’s role at SmileHealthy is an important one—he is the Frances Nelson Dental Center Intern, which means that all of his time is spent at the new facility. He is mainly responsible for managing the clinical interns and volunteers for FNDC. He has also been involved transferring patient files from SmileHealthy to the paperless electronic system at Frances Nelson.
One particularly significant project Brandon has worked on for the new clinic is recruiting Spanish translator volunteers. The amount of responses from interested individuals was incredible, Brandon says, “it is definitely inspiring to see the volunteers’ willingness to help out those patients who are unable to communicate with the dental staff.”
Brandon has clearly been highly involved in the planning process and operations of the Frances Nelson Dental Center. He describes it as a remarkable experience to be with there when the staff saw their first patient at the opening of the clinic. “Opening up the new Frances Nelson Dental Center has been such a long process and it was great to be there when we served the first patient!” says Brandon.

The Trillium Project

smilehealthy — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:29:01 +0000

Everyone Should Wear a Healthy Smile.

The Trillium Project believes that words have power and raises awareness and support for those faced with extraordinary challenges by using stories in their own words to create art. Artist and creator Suzanne Loechl has teamed up with SmileHealthy to create jewelry art that incorporates words from our very own child dental patients. A portion of each purchase will provide our patients with excellent oral health care.

Show your support by purchasing a Trillium Project Pendant designed exclusively for SmileHealthy!

Pendants can be pre-ordered. Pre-orders help us know how many pendants to make. Download the attached flyers to learn more about pre-ordering and the special events coming up to support SmileHealthy and celebrate The Trillium Project.

Trillium-SmileHealthy Flyer

Trillium-SmileHealthy Pre Order Form

www.thetrilliumproject.org

trillium@smilehealthy.org

SmileHealthy to March in U of I Parade

smilehealthy — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:43:38 +0000

Homecoming 2011

Simone and a number of our volunteers will be marching in the U of I Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 30th. Check in with Simone find out where to meet and when to join with SmileHealthy in supporting the University of Illinois.

Above is a flyer with more information.

Schnuck’s eScrip for SmileHealthy

smilehealthy — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:24:36 +0000

Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser – Monday, August 29th

smilehealthy — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:13:08 +0000

Simone has been working hard to raise support for our mobile dental clinic program, specifically our work to provide care for low-income, uninsured children and adults at area food pantries and social service agencies. We are working to raise money for the dental supplies needed to deliver care. One of her first projects is a dinner event at the Texas Roadhouse near Schnucks in Champaign. For those who eat between 4 and 10 p.m. on Monday, August 29th and present the fundraiser flyer 10% of your purchase will support SmileHealthy.

You must bring in the Texas Roadhouse flyer for SmileHealthy to get 10% of your purchase on the 29th. We hope to see you there . . .

To download the flyer, click here – Texas Roadhouse 8-29-11

If you can’t attend but want to support SmileHealthy, donations can be sent to PO Box 154, Champaign, IL 61824-0154. Thanks for all of your help and support!

Collaborating for Strength

smilehealthy — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:50:48 +0000

SmileHealthy has a dental clinic at the Rantoul Head Start School for all the children and families enrolled the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission’s Head Start Program. SmileHealthy provides comprehensive dental care and monthly classroom education for Head Start. Head Start provides space and utilities, family advocate support for scheduling and confirming patients, classroom time and more. It is a unique and intensive program to help needy families get caught up on their dental care before the child enters kindergarten. While it is not always easy, both SmileHealthy and Head Start talk regularly, innovate and try new things to maximize our impact. The hard work is paying off. In their recent federal review and site visit, Head Start was recognized for their collaboration with SmileHealthy as a Strength of the Program.
The SmileHealthy Head Start Dental Clinic is supported by the United Way of Champaign County and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Foundation.

Donor Spotlight – David Hamilton & Schnucks

smilehealthy — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:47:35 +0000

One of the ways that David Hamilton supports the work of SmileHealthy is through his Schnuck’s eScrip card. “When Nancy asked me to enroll my eScrip card to SmileHealthy, I said sure. The program lets me designate my support to up to three charities of my choice. Once I had a Schnuck’s card, I went online and selected my charities. That’s it. I don’t have to do anything else and a portion of every purchase goes to SmileHealthy.”
Each time a shopper shows their Schnuck’s card when they check out, not only does money go to the charity, but shoppers also earn other benefits like discounts on gas. You can designate up to 3 charities and check how much money you’ve donated to each on your monthly statement. To learn more check out http://www.escrip.com/ and register your card to give to SmileHealthy: ID 500024646.

The Eyes and Ears of SmileHealthy

smilehealthy — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:43:54 +0000

As SmileHealthy’s scheduler, Jenny Putman hears interesting patient stories. ‘Buddy’ is the husband of a patient who would do anything to thank SmileHealthy for helping his “little girl”-Buddy’s pet name for new wife. “She has a good threshold for pain, but last night was something else. My little girl had to cry herself to sleep the pain was so bad. Dr. Chung’s Penicillin worked real good though. Now the swelling is down, we’ll see you at the clinic on University for the extraction this afternoon,” Buddy said. Buddy offered to hang dry wall to help SmileHealthy because he was so moved by the care his wife was given. Other patients have called Jenny to inquire about how much the services cost. One patient called to cancel because she did not have enough money. When Jenny explained to her that there was no payment required, there was silence on the phone and you could hear the gratitude in her voice when she said, “How wonderful.” Another patient drew SmileHealthy a portrait of hearts to hang in the office, hoping that it would move employees the way SmileHealthy’s service moved her. Jenny has witnessed many grateful patients that SmileHealthy has helped and looks forward to meeting more in the future. We have changed some of the names so we could share these with you.