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Speare’s Golf Classic raises record-breaking funds to support Dental Health ProgramAmazing Shot Gray Skies And Sunshine No Retouching

 

The Speare Golf Classic held on June 9th to raise funds for the Dental Health Program, brought to mind the Mark Twain quote, “If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” Fortunately, the 50-degree temperatures and 30-mile-an-hour winds were met with sunny skies and proved to be no deterrent to the 45 golf teams that hit the links at Owl’s Nest Resort & Golf Club in Campton. Their resilience paid off, helping to raise $31,200 for the Dental Health Programsurpassing all previous fundraising records over the 18-year history of this event.

“The 18th Annual Golf Classic was a big success again this year,” says Julie DeGalan, coordinator of the Golf Classic and director of development at Speare. “This event raises a significant portion of the budget for the Dental Health Program, and is made possible by the many sponsors, donors, players and volunteers. We received so many wonderful comments about the tournament and are grateful to all who partnered with Speare this year, especially our Golf Classic Sponsor Plymouth General Dentistry and Dr. Joan Kirschner.”

Before each flight of golf carts rolled onto the course, Dental Health Program hygienist Ruth Doane reminded everyone that preserving smiles is the goal of the program. She noted that with the support of the Speare Golf Classic fundraiser last year, she was able to see 1,500 people, many of them twice. Ruth shared a story with the crowd about one of her patients whose life was changed with a healthy smile.

“This past fall I saw a very quiet and shy middle school girl. As soon as she opened her mouth I could see that she needed a lot of work. I was only doing a fluoride that day, but I couldn’t let her go back to class in that condition, when there was something I could do,” says Ruth. “So I got permission from her mom to do a cleaning. After the cleaning she looked so much better. When I held the mirror to her face, she just lit up and smiled. That meant so much to her. Her teachers told me later that she was talking and smiling with everyone after that. It just goes to show that a healthy smile can make a significant social impact on people.”

Golf Cover Photo Health Beat 2016
Julie DeGalan, Director of Development, Michelle McEwen, CEO and Ruth Doane, Dental Health Program Hygienist with Speare Golf Classic Sponsor Dr. Joan Kirschner from Plymouth General Dentistry

The Dental Health Program works in collaboration with School Administrative Unit 48, the Ashland, Lin-Wood and Warren School Districts, Plymouth Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Plymouth OB/GYN, and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program. Services include free dental screenings and fluoride varnish applications. Dental cleanings and sealants are offered to school-age children on a sliding fee scale and to at-risk pregnant women and the homeless. However, no one is denied service because of inability to pay. Children who are in pain from decay and infection are referred for restorative care. Case management and financial counseling/assistance are also provided.

Photos from the 2016 Speare Golf Classic

Click on the thumbnail image to see the full photo

 

 

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