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When you are a “troubled” or “at risk” youth that has been placed in foster care, in most cases, you do not have much to smile about. Fortunately many organizations work hard to meet the minimal physical and mental needs of these kids, helping them to reach their potential as adults. Unfortunately, there is very limited resources to much more. To help Dr. Mark Sayeg, a cosmetic dentist in Sandy Springs, has developed Project Start Smiling. After 28 years of helping his patients have a Beautiful Smile, he has realized that an attractive Smile can help build self confidence and self esteem for these children. He wants to ensure they can smile with the confidence and self-assurance needed to thrive in life. So that when these special kids are able to start smiling again – it will be with a healthy, beautiful and confident smile!
So many of these children suffer from low self-esteem and low self-confidence and many have lived in homes where their teeth and smile suffered severe neglect. While governmental programs provide necessary care for immediate dental needs, cosmetic care is, not included. Studies have proven that having an attractive smile helps improve how people feel about themselves. Project Start Smiling includes a group of volunteer dentists, orthodontists and their teams who provide dental hygiene and cosmetic dental care to include smile whitening, bonding and orthodontics at no cost to the youth in the program. While these kids have many challenges, Project Start Smiling will give them a reason to smile – an important step in reconnecting with their peers and the people who can most help them succeed in life. Since starting Project Start Smiling in 2007 we have worked with over 60 foster children to supplement their dental care in addition to what is provided through governmental programs to help improve their smiles.
Project Start Smiling is currently is working with foster programs throughout metro Atlanta. Two such programs Another Chance and Turning Point are programs of The Center for Children and Young Adult. Another Chance is a long term residential care facility that houses adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 that are there because of abuse, neglect, or have been abandoned. While Turning Point is a transitional living program for young adults age 17-21 who have been involved in the foster care system most of their lives and might otherwise be homeless.
Dr. Mark Sayeg can be reached at 404-255-6782 or mark@StartSmiling.com , www.StartSmiling.com
The Center for Children and Young Adult can be reached at 770-333-9447 or www.ccyakids.org
About The Dentists
Mark Sayeg, DDS FAGD
Dr Sayeg practices Complete and Cosmetic Dental Care in Sandy Springs Georgia for 28 years. Dr Sayeg believes it is important to continually give back to his community, through these programs he donates his time and services and money to support these programs. Often he will run special on teeth Whitening donating all of the proceeds to different area charities ( link to special on page). Dr Sayeg is a past chair and trustee of Give Back A Smile , which help survivors of domestic violence regain the live by improving their smile. Having been involved with the organization since 2003 he has continued to raise money and treat survivors, by improving their smiles damaged through domestic violence they can again face life and regain their lives. To date Dr Sayeg’ office has treated over 9 survivors, some of their stories can be found below. In 2007, Dr Sayeg started Project Start Smiling to work with foster children, helping them with their self esteem by improving their Smile.
Moody Williams, DDS (Orthodontist)
Dr Williams has donated his time to by providing orthodontic care to Project Start Smiling kids.
John Eaton DDS ( Periodontist)
Dr John Eaton a periodontist donates his time when periodontal or implant services are needed.
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Dentist helps foster kids smile in style
By Noreen Lewis Cochran
ncochran@neighbornewspapers.com
Staff / Nathan Self
From left, Project Adventure Kids Development Director Donna Auchenbach and Project Start Smiling founder Mark G. Sayeg, DDS, gather toys and gifts for foster children. |
While giving away a smile costs nothing, maintaining it can be impossible for foster children whose Medicaid covers only basic procedures, so Sandy Springs dentist Mark Sayeg, DDS, stepped up to the plate.
In 2008 and 2009, the father and grandfather donated about $32,500 worth of cosmetic, restorative and orthodontic dentistry to the 80 foster children living at the nonprofit Project Adventure Kids group homes in Covington.
"The way I felt I could help was by working to improve their self-esteem by improving their smiles," Sayeg said about the children ages 12 to 21. "A smile is very important."
A smile can be one's umbrella, and under the umbrella of his nonprofit Project Start Smiling, Sayeg hopes to put presents under the foster home's Christmas tree.
"We wanted to do more, so we started raising funds," Sayeg said about his wife, Edie, and his six-person staff. "You want the kids to have a good Christmas. The program has been struggling for the past year because of cutbacks."
Through Dec. 31, residents can purchase gift certificates for tooth whitening at home a $295 value, good for one year for $225, which Sayeg will donate for the foster children's clothing, school supplies and toiletries.
"This is not just Christmas. It's all year round," Sayeg said about their needs. "Anyone who has seen the place walks away wanting to help."
The place is a 130-acre campus, established in 1981, containing 14 group homes, an accredited school and a ropes of course for what Development Director Donna Auchenbach calls adventure therapy.
"It changes these kids. It gives them the tools to be successful adults," said Ms. Auchenbach, who met Sayeg through another donor, Debbie Young. "Nobody does it like this place. It should be mirrored throughout the U.S."
Ms. Auchenbach, a foster care worker for 10 years, said the difference between this foster home and others is profound.
"So many foster kids feel alone. They say they have no voice," she said. "Here, they do. They dont feel alone."
Sayeg's office is located at 180 Allen Road, Suite 100. Residents can drop off new, unwrapped gifts or purchase gift certificates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thrusday.
Information : (404)255-6782 or visit www.startsmiling.com
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Project Start Smiling
If you have kids you know how expensive it can be to get dental work for them. Imagine if the parents weren't around, that's the issue for many children in the foster car...
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Domestic abuse survivors rarely have something to smile about
Watch one survivor’s story that was featured on Better Mornings on CBS (May 3rd) as Dr. Sayeg and his team work to fix her smile after having her teeth knocked out.
Also learn how you can help other domestic abuse survivors smile while also making your own smile more beautiful!
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Charity Special
You can help!
During the month of July All Whitening services are ½ price
and Dr Sayeg will donate $100 to Give Back A Smile
Zoom whitening
(regularly $520 , in July $260 )
Home Whitening
(regular $320, in July $160)
Gift Certificates are available
www.StartSmiling.com
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