Smile Healthy - Improving Dental Access and Oral Health in Champaign County

Tour de Smile!

Monday, July 28, 2003

Lisa Bell trained for months for a 150-mile bike ride to raise money for the Champaign County Health Department’s child dental access program. Her training paid off. She finished the race across southern Illinois in 13-14 hours and raised $3,000 for the program she directs.

“I don’t think you can ever really prepare for something like that,” says Lisa. “I just wanted to finish the ride.” The heat index was over 110 degrees part of the time, and the race course consisted of hill after hill.

On Aug. 20-21, Lisa rode the entire Illinois leg of the relay, from Murphysboro, Ill., to Sebree, Ky. She’s sought pledges from people who wanted to support the Champaign County Health Department Child Dental Access Program. All the money she raised for her ride went to the local program, which has more than 750 children enrolled. They receive free dental care from private practice dentists who agree to do the work for 50 percent of their customary fees.

“We feel very confident that our funding from the county board will continue, but we could use any funds raised to expand care. We have some severe cases on hold. One child needs $5,000 in orthodontic care. It’s not just straightening teeth. The dentist says if he doesn’t get care soon he will end up losing all his upper right teeth,” she said. Funds will also be used for outreach and education. “The last school year, we gave away more than 4,000 toothbrushes,” she said. “Some kids do not have them at home.”

The ride was part of the national Tour de Smile, a cross-country bike relay to raise awareness about dental disease.

Lisa is eager to create a Champaign County-wide bike relay to support the child dental program. “I’ve encountered a lot of avid bikers who’d like to participate,” she said.