Everything we do here at mouth mechanics is rooted in our love for seeing the happiness that healthy radiant smiles are able create. The world of dentistry has allowed us to pursue our passions as we help to facilitate that radiance every day—however experience has also taught us that many Americans still don't have adequate access to proper dental care.
With this in mind, paying it forward has become a really important aspect of the Mouth Mechanics Charities Inc. mission. We choose to give back to the community that has supported us on our journey so far by turning our special skills to helping more people smile with confidence—whatever their background or financial means. We'd like to share with you why we think that giving generously should be a part of everybody's lives, and what drives us to ensure that Mouth Mechanics truly caters to the people!
Shining A Light on Children's Pearly Whites
Setting the stage for a healthy and beautiful smile during childhood is always a valuable endeavor, and yet tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among U.S. Children —shockingly, five times as prevalent as asthma. Around one fifth of children aged 5 to 11 have at least one untreated decaying tooth. At Mouth Mechanics, we firmly believe in collectively striving to do better!
We know that dental health is so important in allowing children to thrive in school, to enjoy rewarding social interactions, and to experience stronger mental health. And yet, today some children don't even own toothbrushes. A staggering 2.5 million children experience homeless each year in America, which makes connecting with those kids and helping them to reach the dental chair all the more vital.
Prioritizing Dental Care For the Underserved
Did you know that on any given night in America, homelessness impacts more than half a million people? Whether sleeping on sidewalks or in shelters, those who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances often go without the basic necessities for oral hygiene and personal care.
A survey of people experiencing homelessness found that 70% of participants had lost teeth since becoming homeless, and 30% currently had pain in their mouth. The act of giving the time and resources needed to facilitate dental care in these cases not only means dealing with immediate tooth discomfort, but also adding another block to the foundations that empower individuals get back on their feet.
When it comes to paying it forward within the realm of dentistry, it's also important to remember how many areas are effected by dentist shortages. The Health Resources and Services Administration identified that we would need 10,802 new dentists to cater to everyone's oral health needs! That means that for those of us mastering mouth mechanics and leading the charge today, getting strategic is key. When it comes to healthy and happy smiles, we don't want to see anyone left behind!
Why the Act of Giving and Should be on Your To-Do List We all know that kindness is a positive thing to practice, but you might not have realized that it's actually good for you too, in a number of different ways! An array of different studies have revealed that paying it forward can actually boost the happiness of the giver even more than that of the receiver. This is because when we practice generosity we activate regions of the brain associated with social connection, pleasure, and trust. This is known as the “warm glow” effect. The magic of giving doesn't stop there. A range of studies have also linked making gestures of kindness to better health, lower blood pressure, and even greater longevity. Acts of altruism can help us feel more connected to one another and more likely to see the good in other people. What's more, giving is contagious! Paying it forward means sending a positive ripple effect out into the world.
The Mouth Mechanics Charities Inc. Approach to Paying It Forward
It is our hope that by making giving a priority here at Mouth Mechanics Charities Inc we'll kick-start a process that sees that positivity spread in ways we can't even imagine. We trust that each time we pay it forward, those who benefit will set out and do the same for others. If you would like to support this facet of the Mouth Mechanics mission, be sure to subscribe to our updates, and never miss out on the latest info on our Paying It Forward endeavors.