UI Student Organizes 'Give A Kid A Smile Day' in Moscow
Friday, February 25 2005
Feb. 25, 2005 MOSCOW, Idaho -- For the past month, University of Idaho student Kris Kido has been preoccupied with children's smiles. He has been in contact with school nurses in Moscow and Pullman and UI students with young children to identify youngsters who need dental work, but whose families may not be able to afford it. Once 30 of these children were identified and the parents gave permission, Kido began scheduling them for procedures at Bearable Dentistry in Moscow. Here, three dentists -- Drs. Jerry and Dusty Weitz and Dr. Bryan Schiavoni -- and numerous assistants will give the entire day Saturday, Feb. 26, to these children. Kido also engaged dental vendors in the enterprise, and dental supplies were donated. "I've helped my aunt and uncle who are dentists in Boise to do this project there for three years," said Kido, who said he wanted Moscow to offer the same successful program. "I wanted to do what I could to help the children in our community who suffer from oral health problems, and the staff at Bearable Dentistry and Patterson Dental Supply have made this possible." Unlike other "Give A Kid A Smile" days that have been sponsored by grants from the American Dental Society and Crest, this was more-or-less a one-man effort. Kido said he found the local communities to really care about kids, which made his job easier. "I'm excited for tomorrow to see it all come together." Kido plans to eventually become a dentist himself. He currently is a sophomore in finance, an ASUI senator and a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Before his senior year, he will apply for the Idaho Dental Education Program, a cooperative effort of Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Neb. and Idaho State University's College of Health Professions. But for now, he's just a student, who put all his connections together and made something very special happen for 30 youngsters in the Palouse. Contacts: Kris Kido, ASUI senator, (208) 880-5620, kris@sub.uidaho.edu; Bearable Dentistry office manager, (208) 882-3214 (or 882-0400 after 4:30 p.m.); or Nancy Hilliard, University Communications, (208) 885-6567, hilliard@uidaho.edu ATTENTION: Photo Op tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1410 S. Main, Moscow -30- NH-2/25/05-STS
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.