Ninth annual Miles for Smiles is a success

The weather was warm and the runners were ready and raring to race as the ninth annual Miles for Smiles event got under way on the morning of Saturday, March 24, at the Health Science Center running track. More than 100 participated by running, jogging or walking -- all to raise money for school-based fluoride rinse programs, preventative sealant programs and dental care for underserved areas of the city. More than $2,500 was collected.

Heather Bobb, DS-III, was the Miles for Smiles 2001 chairperson. The event is entirely student run.

"This is a wonderful event that brings the Health Science Center and the community together to work toward the same goal - to educate and promote good oral health," Bobb said. "This is very important, especially for the children of San Antonio who benefit from the school-based oral health programs that this event funds."

Bobb said she is already thinking about next year's Miles for Smiles.

"I look forward to working to better organize the event, improve the running course and increase participation for next year's Miles for Smiles," she said.

Jennifer Fowler, 17, a Health Careers High School junior who was selected to be "Miss Smile 2001," greeted runners and walkers at the finish line. She wrote an essay on "The Importance of Dental Health" and provided a list of accomplishments to compete for the honor. She is considering a career in dentistry and will ride on the San Antonio District Dental Society float in the Texas Cavaliers' River Parade on April 23.

Fowler, who works in the office of San Antonio dentist Dr. Paul S. Linnemann, already has made mouth guards and impression trays in dental labs at Health Careers.

The Miles for Smiles 5K run, 2K walk and the Kids' Run produced several winners. Cash prizes were awarded to the first-, second-, and third-place male and female finishers. The top three finishers in the various age groups also received awards. The winners are listed below.

(From left) Third-year dental students Cindy Hsu and Laura Hixson visit with Jennifer Fowler, Miss Smile 2001, at the finish line of the Miles for Smiles event to benefit dental programs for area schoolchildren.

Bill Butler, continuing dental education; Dr. John Brown, community dentistry; and Samantha Mitchell, DS-III, take exaggerated steps over the finish line at Miles for Smiles.