Sue Belmore of Jon-Paul Van Regenmorter, DDS's dental practice in Tiverton, RI, was invited to present to the mentors and mentees in the SMILES (Southcoast Mentoring Initiative for Learning, Education and Service) mentoring program at the Matthew J. Kuss Middle School on April 12, 2010. Beginning with some of the medical consequences of oral piercings and the use of tobacco, including snus and chewing tobacco, Ms. Belmore  went on to talking about proper dental hygiene and local dental resources including HealthFirst Family Care Center and Bristol Community College's free dental clinic. She urged students to practice good oral care in order to avoid some of the future consequences of poor oral care, including gingivitis and dental caries. Adult mentors shared some of their own experiences and cautioned their mentees to pay close attention to the information. The session ended with an opportunity to examine dental instruments and books on the topic. For more information about the SMILES program or to volunteer to serve as a mentor in other programs, call (508) 999-9300 or e-mail Nicole Almeida at nalmeida@smilesmentoring.org.

(Top row) Sue Belmore of Jon-Paul Van Regenmorter, DDS's dental practice in Tiverton, RI, talks about some of the risks of poor dental hygiene and the use of tobacco products. (Middle row) Ms. Belmore listens to the many questions from students and mentor Nicholas Christ, COO of Citizens-Union Savings Bank and board chairman of SMILES. (Bottom row, left and center) Mentor Carole Fiola talks about the link between smoking and cancer before talking with her mentee after the presentation. (Bottom row, right) Fall River Housing Authority Family and Youth Services Director Joey DaSilva talks with his mentee about the high cost of dental work that can result from poor hygiene practices in adolescence.