Educating our Youth on the Importance of Dentistry
MARCH 1, 2017
Written by: Mary Swift, DDS
Career Day, remember Career Day? Everyone would gather in the classroom and the teacher would introduce the visitors who would tell us about their jobs and what their jobs were like each day. The policemen and firemen would steal the show with their uniforms and badges.
The doctors and nurses appealed to the “helping other’s” mindset and there was usually somebody’s Mom or Dad who worked in a bank or something business like. Our young minds were getting a first glimpse at the real world and the career possibilities in front of us.
The teachers and aids at Jack Lowe Elementary held a successful and well organized career day for their students in February. There were, of course, the policemen with their shiny badges and a geologist with his fossils and charts. Due to one of our generous DCDS volunteers and a DCDS Foundation donation, there was a Dentist and toothbrushes for everyone.
Dr. Marty Kahn was our generous volunteer. Dr. Kahn is retired from private practice and now devotes his time and attention towards volunteering. Dr. Kahn graduated from Marquette Dental School in 1967, followed by service in the Navy on a Marine base before landing in the Dallas area in 1971. The last few years in practice Dr. Kahn had a mobile dental clinic which enabled him and his team to provide dental care to underserved areas. Dr. Kahn served DCDS and TDA well during his career and continues his service through volunteerism. DCDS member Dr. Jan Rollow has known Dr. Kahn for many years. “What I think best describes Marty is that he is always there for us. Whenever we have needed a dentist to volunteer for an activity, Marty is the first one to say “I can do that!” and you know he will do it well! This continues even though he is now retired from his dental practice. He certainly is NOT retired from life. I’m sure you will learn about his many volunteer activities, including the Retired Dentist Committee for DCDS. He will begin serving as chair of the Retired Dentist Committee in May 2017.”
Dr. Kahn had a beautiful message for the young eager faces in the third-grade class he addressed. Dr. Kahn asked the class to listen to their teachers, study hard and make good grades. He touched on nutrition, sugary drinks and oral health home care. Dr. Kahn told the class that as a dentist he has had the good fortune of working for himself. He asked the class if they ever heard their Mom or Dad complain about their boss at work and that being a dentist means being your own boss.
Dr. Kahn’s love for dentistry came through loud and clear and the class caught on. Several little hands flew into the air for the question and answer session. Most of the questions the kids asked were a reflection of the good experiences the children have had themselves as patients.
With the message from Dr. Kahn and the children’s positive personal dental experiences, our profession was well represented at Career Day.