Oral hygiene program grows into community service effort
What began as a way to promote oral hygiene has blossomed into a community service effort at Roos Orthodontics, 16150 NE 85th St., Suite 124, in Redmond’s Village Square shopping center.
Dr. Bryan Roos and his staff have been running a Great Patient competition.
What constitutes a great patient? “Being on time, having no failed appointments, showing good hygiene compliance with your (orthodontic) appliance and by having nothing broken or loose,” Roos explained.
Patients who meet these criteria at their appointments get entered into a monthly drawing for one of five $20 prizes. Bringing in a good report card or wearing a Roos Orthodontics t-shirt to their appointment allows them to get an additional entry.
Last month, and during the month of November, the orthodontics practice is donating one food item to Hopelink for every Great Patient entry.
“It’s a way to give back to the community,” said Roos.
And since his office backs up to Redmond’s Hopelink food bank, there’s a constant reminder of need right here where we live, work or go to school.
Roos Orthodontics has some adult patients, of course, but the majority of Great Patient contestants are of junior high or high school age. Roos said kids show a positive response when they’re told that being entered into the drawing isn’t just about minding their health habits or their chance to win some cash. They seem genuinely pleased when they learn that “they’ll get an added bonus of helping someone else.”
Meanwhile, Hopelink’s always looking for ways to get young people focused on the simple things they can do to combat widespread problems such as hunger. Individual cans and boxes of food really do add up, especially at a time when requests for emergency food bags have escalated.
“It fosters a nice relationship,” said Roos.
His staff will deliver the food donations from the Great Patient contest to Hopelink before the deadline to assemble bags of ingredients for Thanksgiving meals.
He’s been told that Hopelink’s looking for canned fruits, vegetable oil and other baking ingredients, in addition to canned vegetables and protein.
For information about Roos Orthodontics, call (425) 885-1642 or visit www.roosortho.com.
