Proper oral health habits have life-long effects, which is why instilling that knowledge at an early age is so important. Dallas County Dental Society Foundation’s program Tooth Talks brings knowledgeable member dentists into local schools to talk about the importance of brushing, flossing and regular dental visits while providing brushes, toothpaste and educational materials for the students. Our dentists also provide presentations at career days to talk about what it’s like to be a dentist and the great impact they have on our communities.
Dr. Martin Kahn, a retired dentist, is an active volunteer with the Tooth Talks program. He says his transition from private practice to retirement was made easier by volunteering and dedicating his time to educating about oral health in the community.
“I replace the joy of being with my patients of more than 40 years with activities I have a passion for,” said Dr. Kahn. “I love speaking about preventative oral health to grade school children, because we need to have a continued focus on prevention when many local families do not possess the means for accessing regular dental care.”
Outside of the need for access and education for care, Dr. Kahn sees the Tooth Talks program as a way to spread his passion for the profession and counter negative perceptions of dentists and their practices.
Addressing junior and senior-high students presents a great opportunity to clarify the many unknowns concerning a career in dentistry,” said Dr. Kahn.
Promoting and improving oral health in our community is a huge endeavor and requires teams of dentists, hygienists, assistants, teachers, families, volunteers and many others to continually encourage good habits. Dallas County Dental Society members are just a small piece of that bigger picture.
If you know of a school that could benefit from the Tooth Talks program, or if you would like to volunteer your expertise and time, please contact Lori Dees at [email protected] or call 972-386-5741 to sign up.
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