Idaho’s branch of Smiles For A Lifetime is still young; their first batch of candidates for orthodontic treatment was only chosen early this year. Candidates are chosen by an independent board made of community leaders, based on an application that demonstrates a candidate’s financial need as well as their desire and dedication to receiving the treatment.
Dr. McCord’s practice, McCord Orthodontics, has served many folks region-wide since 2009. It’s also the first in Idaho to be part of Smiles For A Lifetime Foundation. The program is a nonprofit dedicated to giving orthodontic work to kids whose families aren’t able to afford it.
“There’s so many kids who would otherwise have greater self-confidence if they had teeth that were straight,” said McCord. “We’ve created a local chapter here in Idaho as a way to give back. We want to help those who couldn’t do it on their own; it’s not the kid’s fault that they have crooked teeth.”
Only a few candidates are chosen in a year, but for them, it makes a lifetime of difference. “This is just the tip of the iceberg. If we can help just six or eight people in our community, it’ll be a blessing and benefit for them. I wish we could help all these people, but we’re going to start small. That’s where we hope to go,” said McCord.
The desire to give back to the community stemmed from McCord’s childhood here in Idaho Falls. As a student at Idaho Falls High School, he took a career exploration class from Nancy Jones, thinking he wanted to be a civil engineer. “I took a career aptitude test and orthodontist was one of the results,” he said. He visited a local orthodontist and fell in love with it. After attending dental and orthodontic school in the midwest, he decided that he wanted to return to Idaho Falls to raise his family.
Dr. McCord says his passion is with his patients. He travels all over the region to treat them; his main office started from scratch in Idaho Falls, but grew to include an office in Pocatello with Dr. Brandon Swenson. He also travels regularly to Rexburg, Victor, and Shelley to visit with patients. “It’s all about them [the patients],” he says, “My philosophy is that if I wouldn’t do something on my son or daughter, I wouldn’t do it on yours, or you.” While some teens might grumble a little about meticulous brushing and no caramels for a few months, a winning smile is truly a gift to any and all who receive it.
Want to find out more about Smiles for a Lifetime? Check out Dr. McCord’s website at www.idahofallsorthodontist.com to find more information and an application for the program.