Through 24 consecutive dental clinics, Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) has delivered more than $6 million in free comprehensive dental services to nearly 13,000 local children in need since 2002. This success is deeply rooted in the generosity of local dental professionals like Scott F. Nolen, DMD, of Travis & Nolen Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, P.C. Dr. Nolen has volunteered his time and talents at nearly every clinic over the past 12 years. In recognition of his unwavering commitment to the work of the organization, he was recently named a “GKAS Hero” at the Greater St. Louis Dental Society’s annual installation event held at The Racquet Club in the Central West End on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Dr. Nolen is a shining example of the passion and commitment embodied by Give Kids A Smile volunteers. He has served the free biannual dental clinics in one of the toughest areas – oral surgery. His volunteer work differs from his regular practice, because during GKAS he performs less intrusive services where children are not sedated.
“He was a unanimous pick for this recognition,” commented Thomas C. Flavin, DDS, one of the founders of GKAS who currently serves as the president of the organization. “Oral surgery is one of the toughest areas of the clinic to work in and one of the hardest areas for which to recruit volunteers. Dr. Nolen gets all of the challenging cases, and we have come to count on his expertise and calming temperament in an emotionally-charged area. He is definitely my hero!”
Dr. Nolen, a native of Carbondale, Ill., resides in Creve Coeur, Mo., and has dental offices in Florissant and Clayton. He completed his undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale before graduating from Washington University School of Dental Medicine. He then entered a four-year residency program at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Tx., where he became board certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is a current member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the American Dental Association, the Missouri Dental Association, the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, the Missouri Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Greater St. Louis Dental Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Greater St. Louis Dental Society.
The “GKAS Hero” Award is presented annually to licensed dentists who have made a significant contribution to GKAS clinics and/or the organization’s other community outreach events. To learn more about the work of Give Kids A Smile call, 636-397-6453 or visit www.gkas.org.
Give Kids a Smile was developed by Jeffrey Dalin, DDS; B. Ray Storm, DDS; Tom Flavin, DDS; Mark Ortinau, DDS and Jan Storm, RDHB, in February 2002 to provide children of families who cannot afford dental care with access to the benefits of dental services. GKAS is made possible thanks to major local contributors including Delta Dental of Missouri, First Pacific Corporation, Goetze Dental, Greater St. Louis Dental Society, Guardian Life Insurance, Keller Dental Laboratory, Missouri Dental Association, Patterson Dental, Saint Louis University’s Center for Advanced Dental Education, the Missouri Foundation for Health and Young Dental. National sponsors include Colgate, Henry Shein Dental and DEXIS.
For more information, contact:
Kelly Harris, The Hauser Group, (314) 436-9090
Joan Allen, Give Kids a Smile, (636) 397-6453