Joleen Bagwell welcomes walkers

Most 5k races I’ve attended involve a lot of huffing and sweating with people racing to mark their best time. No offense intended to serious runners, but the 3rd annual SmileWalk was different. People were actually smiling and laughing as they walked, strolled and small kids even rode bikes beside White Rock Lake in Dallas September 27.

Richardson ISD Nurses’ Dental Divas couldn’t help smiling. The team won top fundraiser and was recognized as the third largest team with 40 walkers. Team member Melanie Cowlishaw won top individual fundraiser. Then the team took “Best T-Shirt Design” honors.

Other winners included Christiane Ramirez - number two fundraiser; Aetna – number two fundraising team; Collin County College Dental Hygiene Team – largest team; Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic – second largest team. More than 350 people participated in the event, which raised more than $50,000 for the Children's Oral Health Center in Dallas, a free dental home for kids in need.

"“Dental care is so important to a child’s self-esteem,” said Joleen Bagwell, Children’s Oral Health Center CEO. “It can affect their development from an early age. Our motto is: ‘Building the future one smile at a time.’ I’ve been blessed to witness some amazing transformations thanks to our sponsors and supporters."

Each year, Children’s Oral Health Center treats more than 2,000 children. But the need is much greater:

• Dental problems are a major reason for school absences

• Tooth decay is the single most common chronic disease in children - five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.

• Fluoride varnish applied to early tooth decay can stop or reverse the process for mere pennies per child.

More information is available at www.childrensoralhealthcenter.org.

 

Richardson ISD Nurses team: the Dental Divas

Best T-shirt design (front)

Best T-shirt design (back)

Los Barrios Unidos team

Robinson's Drill Team

Baylor College of Dentistry Dental Hygiene team: The Fighting Fluorides

Thurgood Marshall Elementary team

W.L. Cabell Elementary team

Northlake Elementary team

Additional SmileWalk photos are online at www.pbase.com/dalvey/8smile.