VIP Promotes Good Dental Care

Crystal demonstrates her BRIGHT smile.

It was a life changing moment for one VIP employee when he volunteered to chew a Disclosing tablet that showed the effects chewing tobacco had on his teeth and gums. While Danny Simpson says his mouth wasn't as bad as pictures he was shown, he still decided to be proactive in preventing further ill effects as a result of a habit he developed years ago.

"I want to keep my teeth," said Simpson, the VIP Industries employee who volunteered to be a part of the new BRIGHT Smiles dental program.

BRIGHT stands for Basic Regimen Implementation Generating Healthy Teeth. The program's goal is to help the participants develop better brushing habits that will result in brighter, healthier teeth and bodies.

Since entering the program, Simpson has quit chewing tobacco and is even trying to encourage others to do the same.

"I'm changing my life for the better," he said.

The participants of BRIGHT Smiles have learned that not only does brushing help their teeth and gums, but it can also help decrease the risk of infection, cardiovascular disease and other health problems common to individuals with developmental disabilities.

The BRIGHT Smiles program, which about 40 employees volunteered to participate in, began July 11.

Program participants are asked to brush once a day while at the workshop in conjunction with brushing at home in the morning and at night. Throughout the program, VIP staff members are there to provide the employees proper brushing techniques, assistance and encouragement.

For the first month of the program, staff monitored the employees during break periods, making sure they were brushing properly and encouraging each along the way. Staff also documented when employees brushed their teeth, making them eligible for weekly prizes as extra motivation.

As the employees began to feel comfortable with the BRIGHT Smiles program, the responsibility to brush and document when they brushed their teeth was passed onto the employees.

And the response to the program has been encouraging, as the participants come to work bragging about brushing their teeth at home and are eager to brush at work.

Crystal Garner is one of those excited participants who knows the value of brushing her teeth.

"It's good for your teeth, so you don't get cavities," she said.

It is the hope of program organizers that the BRIGHT Smiles program results in better oral health. A comparison will be made possible thanks to the Elks Mobile Dental Service, which is in the Cape Girardeau area once a year and provides free dental care to individuals with developmental disabilities.

VIP Industries is one of the largest sheltered workshops in the state of Missouri. They have been providing programs and services to individuals with developmental disabilities for over 44 years.

For more information about VIP Industries, including the services and programs they offer, go to their website at www.vipindustries.com, call 573-334-9661, or stop by their office for a tour.