Events
May 5, 2009
Dear Dr. Demko,
Recently, I was in your office to receive a consultation for orthodontic treatment. You will probably remember me since I was not the average age of most of your patients.
When I was younger, braces were not nearly as common as they are today. If you had crooked teeth, you pretty much had to live with it. It wasn’t common for people to have orthodontic insurance. This was the case for our family. I am the oldest of four girls. My parents did notice how much it bothered me that my teeth were so crooked. I had the most crooked teeth in the family. I wanted braces so bad; I didn’t care how long I would have to have them on, I just wanted to have straight teeth, especially since I smiled so much. My parents did offer to pay for me to have braces. I knew they could not afford it since one of my younger sisters had such big buck teeth and a really low self-esteem, that I felt she needed them more. So, I told my parents, ”No thanks.” I wanted them soo bad. Braces did make an amazing difference for her, though.
Two of my daughters have had braces. They’re teeth look beautiful. It is funny how much I look at their teeth. I feel so good about how they look. It has really improved their looks and their confidence. It actually made me want braces more.
When I look at a person, the first thing I do is make eye contact, then I look at their smile. A smile tells me a lot about a person. A warm, friendly smile is very enlightening. It is a, “Hello” or a “Welcome”, or “May I help you.” A nice smile can soften someone’s anger, or make a sad person feel cared for. It can brighten someone’s day. This is a big reason why I would love to have a nice smile. Did you ever notice when you smile it automatically makes a person smile back? I have severely crooked teeth on bottom. I have a gummy smile on top and crooked teeth that dip down in front. They will probably get worse the older I get. As I get older, as everyone else does too, our looks change to the worse. It would be nice to make an improvement, like a nicer smile. How encouraging that would be.
About eight years ago, I talked to Dr. Unger about my teeth while he was having a consultation with my daughter. He looked at my teeth and said there wasn’t much he could do for me. I was so upset. I thought to myself, “You mean all these people you are helping and I am so odd that I am moreless hopeless. I must really have bad teeth.” I thought I would go at the same time as Jessie. Well, I sure didn’t have confidence in him. He assured me that he would be able to do a good job on Jessie, so I got her treatment there and he did a pretty good job. My insurance covered a lot more years ago. Another orthodontist said I would have a permanent retainer on the back inside of my bottom teeth. I didn’t like that idea.
Recently, while I was at my dentist’s, Schroeder Creek Dental the hygienist mentioned that I should go see Dr. Demko; she highly recommended you and said how amazing you were with orthodontics and especially Invisalign. She didn’t even know that I considered braces in the past.
Honestly, I have NEVER been to a friendlier office of any sort then when I walked into yours, Dr. Demko. I truly mean it. Your workers are a reflection of how you are and how you conduct business. I am sure you are very picky about who you hire. I walked in with 4 kids ranging from 5 to 15. I saw the coffee and hot chocolate and my first though was “yum”, then it was, “Oh no, they will make a mess and might spill it.” No sooner than I thought that , the cute blond said, ”Help yourself to some hot chocolate and coffee, the kids too.” I thought that was so sweet of her. I knew that would keep them entertained while you were examining my teeth.
Next, I must honestly say I was quite surprised at how young you are. You are the first female and by far the youngest orthodontist I had ever seen. By the way ,you have a real nice, welcoming, friendly smile. I felt so comfortable. I will admit that I was a little nervous and I get very embarrassed to show my teeth even to an orthodontist! Isn’t that silly. I was amazed at your diagnosis. You are the first orthodontist that ever mentioned expanders for my teeth. I have a small mouth for all my teeth to fit properly. You talked about how you would fix the gum line; wow that’s a first. You said you could make me have a bigger smile and fill in the gaps on the sides. I have never been to an orthodontist that would completely improve my smile. You even mentioned Invisalign, which seems impossible since my teeth are so crooked. I really don’t think anyone could do a better job than you. Not just that they are not willing, but do not seem to have the expertise and know all the latest improvements. I would be very confident in your care and know that I would be getting the best treatment possible; a smile as pretty as anyone else has. How exciting; I really never thought it possible. I always thought braces would only straighten my teeth, but I would never have an awesome smile.
Well, with all of this said, I would really like you to consider me for the orthodontic contest. I know I need more care than the average and really do not expect you to do this for me. After speaking with you and giving me my options, I couldn’t settle for 2nd best knowing how good you could make my smile look. I know you have a payment plan, but it is the total that matters. I cannot justify spending that much on myself when I still have 2 more kids that look like they will probably need braces. They are young and I want them to fell good and confident about their smile. I thank you so much for giving me and others the opportunity to receive free orthodontic care. This contest is a reflection of the caring person you must be.
Best Wishes to you and your staff,
Debbie
Dear Dr. Demko,
I need braces because my teeth are horrible! I have the worst teeth in my school! Also, I get gunk in my teeth. YUCK! Last, I think my teeth make me not have a lot of friends. So you can see, I really need braces.
Sincerely,
Your Friend,
Madison
Dr. Demko,
I’m very sorry for my daughter’s entry being last minute. I broke my wrist 3 weeks ago, and two days ago plates and screws were put in it. No excuses—but my brain went off. I thought the contest was until the end of May. Thank you for the opportunity you are giving to all children. My daughter doesn’t show her teeth much when she smiles. I know there are many like her. Again, I’m sorry for the last minute entry.
Thank you.
Rebecca
My name is Danielle and I am 13 years old. Up until I was 10 years old, I sucked my thumb to help me relax and causing me to have an overbite. Every day when I look into the mirror that is the first thing I see. It makes me feel embarrassed to talk to my friends at school and take pictures with them.
My friend Abby, just got her braces off and I have never seen her happier. She is always smiling and talking to everyone. She has even become more confident at school and has made more friends because she is not afraid to start a conversation with them.
I have wanted braces since 5th grade when I started feeling insecure about my smile. Braces will change my life in several ways. They will make my teeth stronger, to have more confidence in myself, allow me to be more outgoing, and help me branch out and make more friends.
This past year has been a tough year for me. I was in and out of the hospital for 5 months and even had surgery. This caused me to fall behind in my schoolwork. At school I am busy studying and don’t have a lot of time to socialize. I have not been able to take any music, art, physical education, etc., since the school is making sure I make up all the academic schoolwork. It’s a struggle for me since I have difficulty on focusing since I was diagnosed with ADD in 3rd grade. The school, my parents, and my cousin, who is tutoring me, are doing their best to help me get through this difficult time and to pass 7th grade.
When I come back next year as an 8th grader with braces on, it would help me have confidence to talk more people and focus less on my overbite. I feel that I would be letting more people get to know the real happy smiley me!
Danielle
Hi my name is Kaitlyn. I am 11 years old and a straight A student at Fort Zumwalt West Middle School. I watch the news everyday and heard about the Code Smile Braces giveaway on Ksdk. The reason I want and need braces are my teeth are very very bad and my mouth hurts all the time. I do not ever smile cause I don't want anyone to see what my teeth look like. It is also very embarrassing to me. I have very little self esteem and I cry often. I don't like the way I look. I want to be a video game designer after I graduate high school and college, but with my teeth I would never be able to speak to customers. I think that when I talk to people all they see is my teeth and I don't like that. I constantly walk around with my head down. I'm tired of hiding and just want to be a normal kid. If you could help me I would be very very happy.
Thank you,
Kaitlyn
4-11-09
Why Healthy smiles are important
Healthy smiles are important because you can chew all the foods you enjoy. You will be proud of your smile. Also if you have a fantastic smile people will want to be your friend! Other people might think you’re nice because your smile is pretty. And when you look in the mirror you will feel good about yourself.
I need braces because my teeth are crooked. When I get braces I will brush teeth after every meal. I’ll avoid chewy sticky, and very crunchy foods. I’ll wear rubber bands when I am told to. Doing all these things will give me a healthy and beautiful smile.
I am looking forward to having a healthy and bright smile. When I am older I will be proud because I worked hard to have a perfect smile.
By: Irene
Having a perfect smile would give me a lot of confidence.
If I had a perfect smile it would make me feel like I could give a good first impression to people. I would feel like this because when you speak to someone they usually look at your face. And because a lot of people smile at you, having a perfect smile would give me confidence to smile back because I know I would have a great smile to share!
Having a perfect smile would give me confidence because I like to make people laugh. And when I see other people laughing I start to laugh, and when you laugh your smiles shows. It is hard to laugh when you don’t have confidence, because you don’t have a perfect smile.
Having a perfect smile would give me great confidence to smile in pictures! My friends take a lot of pictures these days, some for school, some for family and even some for myspace and facebook. But most important are school pictures. It is important because you give these pictures to family and friends and they like to see your smile.
Having a great smile would make me feel pretty because when people look at you they look at your face. And because your mouth is on your face, one of the first things they will see is your smile. So having a perfect smile would make me feel pretty.
Having a great smile would give me all the confidence in the world. It would give me confidence to smile in pictures. And it would give me confidence to believe I am pretty. I would love to have the perfect smile and the perfect confidence!
Thank you for the fun evening and to chance to tell my story.
Sincerely,
Christina
What braces would mean to me.
My name is Erica Jo, I am 10 years old, and I’m all about singing. Well guess what, as luck goes I have a gap between my teeth, I have a Crossbite, and when my Canine teeth come in they will look like vampire fangs. Although I do love vampire books I do not want to look like one everyday.
I am sometimes embarrassed to get my picture taken because of the space between my teeth, I want to look nice because I have a dream of becoming a singer someday.
I was really worried that braces would affect my singing voice, so I got online and did some research. Elliot Yaman, he was a 2007 contestant on America Idol. He had really crooked teeth and he got them fixed. His Dr. said that by fixing his teeth it can actually improve his singing because he will be able to project his voice better. He says he feels so much more confident now!
Two more of my favorite singers, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift wear retainers. Taylor says that her dorkey little secret is that she actually wears her retainer.
I guess my favorite performers went through Orthodonic work then it kinda makes me excited to have the work done then I can look pretty and maybe sing better too.
Hopefully you will choose me to give the gift of money towards braces. I know my Parents will do whatever they need to so I can get my braces but it sure would make it easier on them if I could help them out by winning this contest. So please consider choosing my essay.
Thank you
Erica
