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Day
of Healthy Smiles and
Lifestyles
The LSUSD
Department of Pediatric
Dentistry, in cooperation
with the New Orleans
Dental Association and the
New Orleans Saints, hosted
100 children at the 2013
Give Kids A Smile Day
(GKAS) on Friday, January
18. Second- through
fifth-grade students from
Phoenix School in
Plaquemines Parish and
Lake Pontchartrain
Elementary School in St.
John the Baptist Parish
traveled to the school to
participate. The outreach
was focused on schools in
communities affected by
Hurricane Isaac.
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| Saints
players Cameron
Jordan and Akeim
Hicks on the
sports field with
school children
(blue shirts) and
(from left) Drs.
Townsend, Axelrad,
Boxberger and
Cavallino |
Co-chaired
by pediatric dentists Drs.
Kellie Axelrad and Nicole
Boxberger, "Healthy
Smiles, Healthy
Lifestyles", was focused
on raising awareness of
two major health threats
for children - poor oral
health and obesity. Dental
hygiene students and
faculty members
demonstrated proper oral
hygiene, mouthguards for
prevention of
sports-related injuries
and the effects of sugary
drinks. Dental students,
residents and faculty
members provided dental
examinations, cleanings
and a sheet detailing
their dental needs to take
home to their parents.
New Orleans Saints
players Akeim Hicks and
Cameron Jordan and mascots
Gumbo and Sir Saint
emphasized physical
activity at NFL Play 60
football drills held in
the athletic field at the
school. Following the
activities, students were
treated to a healthful
lunch. "All of the
children had a great
time," said Dr. Janice
Townsend, chair of the
Department of Pediatric
Dentistry. "I hope we've
helped them understand the
importance of taking care
of their teeth and
bodies."
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| Second-year
dental hygiene
student Tara
Thomas shows Dulce
the correct way to
floss. |
Give Kids A
Smile Day was started as a
national event by the
American Dental
Association in 2003.
Dentists and other team
members volunteer their
time and services to
provide screenings,
treatments and education
to children throughout the
United States.
Traditionally held the
first Friday of February,
the LSU School of
Dentistry held GKAS Day
earlier to avoid a
conflict with Super Bowl
weekend in New Orleans.
Four more
outreach events were
planned in conjunction
with GKAS Day to teach the
importance of healthy
smiles and lifestyles. Dr.
Townsend, students and
residents visited Women,
Infants and Children
recipients at the New
Orleans Health Department.
Members of the American
Association of Pediatric
Dentistry Student Chapter
and the LSUSD Making
Impressions group educated
participants of the Urban
League School Exposition
at the Mercedes Benz
Superdome. Students and
residents also joined Drs.
Nicole Boxberger and
Pamela Shaw in two
separate outreach events
at the Children's Museum
and at Children's
Hospital.
Alumnus
Ronald Marks
Receives Hall of
Distinction
Award
Dr. Ronald (Ronnie)
B. Marks, LSU '64,
and 1973 graduate of
the LSU-Charity
Hospital Oral
Surgery program, has
been selected for
induction into the
2013 LSU Alumni
Association Hall of
Distinction, which
honors individuals
who have "brought
credit and
distinction to
themselves and to
the university." Dr.
Marks, who practices
in Alexandria,
received his DDS
from Loyola in 1970.
He is clinical
professor of oral
and maxillofacial
surgery (OMS) at LSU
Health in Shreveport
and visiting
associate professor
of OMS at LSUSD. |
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A diplomate
of the American Board of
Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgery, he has served as
president the Louisiana
Dental Association, the
Louisiana State Board of
Dentistry and the American
Association of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery. He
is a 1999 recipient of the
LDA Distinguished Service
Award.
Dr. Marks, one of seven
alumni selected from over
100 nominations, will be
inducted on April 12,
2013.
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