Archives > News Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Masonic smiles: Philanthropic group helps children prevent tooth decay
Photo Courtesy of Fantastic Teeth Fan Club - Allen Masonic Lodge members Carson Doss, Lane Worthen and Bob Black bump fists with first-graders after wrapping up their tooth-decay prevention kit delivery. St. John's Masonic Lodge of McKinney recently distributed 190 such kits to first-graders at Malvern Elementary and Finch Elementary as participants in Masonic Home and School of Texas' Fantastic Teeth program.
By Chris Beattie, cbeattie@starlocalnews.com
A Mason a day keeps the dentist away.
It's a mantra that's gaining momentum in Texas elementary schools faster than students' plaque can build up.
St. John's Masonic Lodge recently distributed 190 free tooth-decay prevention kits to first graders at Malvern Elementary and Finch Elementary in McKinney, through Masonic Home and School of Texas' (MHS) Fantastic Teeth Fan Club.
The MHS, a charitable organization that has served Texas families for more than a century, implemented the Fantastic Teeth program about three years ago to prevent children's suffering from toothaches, to reduce missed school days due to dental problems and to cut costs for dental treatment.
The prevention kits contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, a healthy teeth sticker, a two-minute timer (recommended brushing time) and "Tips for Health Teeth" educational information in English and Spanish.
Through a partnership with lower-income schools and local Masonic Lodges, the program has distributed kits to more than 53,000 students at 627 schools this school year. If used, the kits may prevent dental problems that sometimes amount to $4,000 per child in dental care, Gray said.
St. John's Masonic Lodge, stationed off Kentucky Street in downtown McKinney, last year added kit delivery to its philanthropic initiatives. Through annual fundraisers, including a golf tournament and chili cook-off, and additional aid from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and other large Masonic organizations, Masonic Lodges raise money for college scholarships.
St. John's typically raises enough funds for $700 to $1,000 scholarships for five to 10 students every year. St. John's Masons meet the first Tuesday every month and partake in additional degrees or programs, such as the recent kit distribution.
"The purpose is pretty much the same everywhere you go," said Jerry Brown, St. John's treasurer and a 52-year Mason. "If a kid needs us in any way, shape or form, a few hundred bucks is going to help."
St. John's Masons assembled the dental kits at the Lodge on May 24 then delivered them to Malvern and Finch the following morning.
"They haven't always had this, but there's a need for it," Brown said. "By doing this, these kids save on dental expenses."
Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma and seven times more prevalent than hay fever, according to "Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General." Dental problems more frequently affect children in low-income families than other children, resulting in almost 12 times the number of restricted-activity days, according to the report.
Dental issues directly affect educational success for children, with more than 51 million school hours lost each year to dental-related illness, and pain due to untreated dental disease can lead to problems in eating and speaking.
Whether kit recipients use the basic dental tools, the included information may find its way to their parents' hands, and spur improved dental hygiene for them, Gray said.
"Once kids are on their own, they're not dependent on their parents," she said. "Those children can start taking responsibility and may even change the dental routines of the whole family."
But Masonic Lodges, which are eligible to receive up to 300 kits each school year, must start the chain reaction in their respective cities.
Add early dental care to a Masonic tradition that's been helping kids break down barriers for centuries. Their shiny teeth may at least keep the dentist away.
"These kinds of things just make you feel good," Brown said. "It's very rewarding to see smiles on kids' faces."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
