A group of local dentists are combining forces to "give back a smile" at a day-long event which promises to be both entertaining and informative and also benefits a local shelter for battered women. Covington dentist Dr. Jim Moreau, organizer of "I Hate Dentists Day," says the purpose of the event is three-fold: "We want to de-mystify modern dentistry and make oral health care more accessible to more people. We want to enlighten them as to what they can expect from modern dentistry," he says. "At the same time we will be offering free health screenings as a public service”
The event, billed as “The Feel Good Day For Going To The Dentist” also includes events to raise money for ‘Safe Harbor’ a battered women’s program in St. Tammany Parish and also 'Give Back a Smile', a charitable foundation which provides free-of-charge cosmetic dentistry to help restore the smiles of survivors of domestic violence.
Dr. Moreau says the theme "I Hate Dentists" is a light-hearted approach to a serious obstacle for many people–dental fear. “Let’s face it,” he says. “People have a feeling of dread about going to the dentist. The fact is that 50% of the population does not go to the dentist. We think a large part of that is fear or confusion that people have based on myths about dental experiences of a bygone era. “We want to introduce people to the benefits of modern dentistry and hopefully remove obstacles that keep them from getting the help they need.”
The idea is based on a dental consumer guidebook written by Texas dentist Dr. McHenry "Mac" Lee. The book is called Nothin' Personal, Doc, But…I Hate Dentists. Dr. Moreau promotes the book in his general dental practice as a standard by which consumers can make good decisions and good choices for themselves.
"I believe that the more people know about their mouth and how it effects their overall health and well-being as well as their self-esteem, the more likely they are to take steps to get the help they need," Dr. Moreau says.
"We put this book in our patients' hands to help them understand their health, their disease, their wants, their needs and what they should expect from a dentist in this day of technology and modern advances."
The event, scheduled for Saturday, April 20, at Dr. Moreau's dental office, MoreSMILES on Highway 190 south of Lakeview Regional Medical Center, will draw attention to the benefits of modern dentistry by dispelling "dental rumors" in a series of mini-workshops on topics such as "How to Relax and Enjoy Your Dental Visits", "Can Cavities Really Be Fixed Without a Drill and a Needle?", "The Connection Between Heart Disease and Gum Disease", and "New Ways to Straighten Old Teeth". Specialists participating include Drs. Marija LaSalle, Laurie Fricke, William LeDoux, and Ina Griffen.
Oral health care screenings will also be available to the public free-of-charge. A free fun jump will help keep the “baby teeth” crew occupied and the Fire District 4 Safe House will also be onsite. Concessions such as jambalaya, hot dogs and snowballs will benefit the programs for battered women.
And in case the thought, "I hate dentists" has ever crossed your own mind, a ‘Dunk the Dentist’ booth may offer a little stress relief. Participating dentists are donning their trunks to help raise money for "Give Back a Smile" and “Safe Harbor.”
Safe Harbor, a Covington-based shelter for battered women, is partnering with Dr. Moreau for the event to increase awareness of the services they provide at a local level for domestic violence survivors. Representatives from Safe Harbor will be on hand to provide information and participate in the fund-raising efforts. "I Hate Dentists Day" is an opportunity for the public to learn about the benefits of modern dentistry, receive free oral health care screenings and help raise funds to "Give Back a Smile."