Business & Tech

Local Orthodontist's Charitable Efforts Give Kids Something to Smile About

Dr. Barry Booth of Homer Glen recently established a local chapter of the non-profit Smile For A Lifetime Foundation to provide orthodontic care to students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to acquire assistance.

A local orthodontist is aiming to give lasting smiles to children whose dreams of straight teeth might be financially out of reach.

Dr. Barry Booth, a Homer Glen orthodontist for 25 years, recently established a local chapter of the non-profit Smile For A Lifetime Foundation within his office to provide orthodontic care to students between the ages of 11 and 19 who may not otherwise have the opportunity to acquire assistance.

“The gift of a healthy, attractive smile boosts a child’s self-esteem and confidence in ways that open up their possibilities,” Booth said. “The possibility to get that future scholarship or job could help a child toward a successful, fulfilling life.”

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Booth’s Smile For A Lifetime Foundation has a board of directors comprised of nine community leaders, including two school superintendents, a church pastor, accountant, banker, oral surgeon, dentist and pediatric dentist. The board is responsible for selecting the deserving children to receive the scholarships and oversee spending the foundation funds.

When seeking the board of directors, Booth said he reached out to the
those nine community leaders due to their reputations for dedication to
children and charitable causes.

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"I contacted these board members personally to volunteer and every one
has enthusiastically accepted my invitation," he said.

 Superintendent Dr. Sandy Doebert is among the foundation’s board of directors.

“I felt this was an opportunity to get involved in serving the wider south suburban area in a new way,” Doebert said. “Young people who are in need of orthodontic and other related services but cannot afford them now will have an opportunity to receive them through this organization.”

The Smile For A Lifetime board will meet May 26 to select the first six to 12 recipients of the $6,000 orthodontic scholarships.

"We will continue to accept applications up to the board meeting for the first round of scholarships," Booth said.

To qualify, participants must complete an application and include two letters of recommendation, as well as submit two photos — one a smiling facial photo and the other close up with the applicant’s teeth clearly visible. Applicants must also sign a commitment to give back with 20 hours of community service.

The national Smile For A Lifetime Foundation launched in 2008 in Arkansas and sponsors orthodontic care to hundreds of patients each year through more than 50 local chapters in 26 states.

Doebert said she is pleased to be working with Booth through the local Smile For A Lifetime Foundation.

“I have a great deal of respect for Dr. Booth's desire to serve this community in this selfless, caring way,” she said. “He is an excellent doctor and a wonderful man."

Charitable donations can be sent to Smile For a Lifetime, ℅ Booth Orthodontics, 12635 W. 143rd St., Homer Glen, IL., 60491.

For more information about the Smile For A Lifetime Foundation, visit www.boothorthodontics.com.


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