Kimberly Meehan, R.D.H.

Biography

As a Dental Hygienist, model, spokesperson and retired professional cheerleader, Kimberly understands and promotes the importance of a healthy smile.



Tooth decay has become a growing concern for our nation's youth, affecting over 50% of first graders across the country. Although dental care tops the list of low-income children's unmet health needs, foundation funding devoted to oral health needs has been miniscule. Kimberly's platform promotes children's oral health awareness throughout various tri-state communities, with the goal of building healthier communities one child at a time. She is currently presenting her oral health awareness program in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you will find her visiting community centers and school classrooms to educate children grades K-3 on the importance of proper brushing, good nutrition and dental sealants. During the 2007/2008 school year, she expanded her scope of community outreach by helping over 10,000 children enrolled in the 200 community centers and schools within the Philadelphia Safe and Sound Network, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grantee. Children who are healthy will learn better and be more productive, that is the goal of Kimberly's oral health education program. Committed to improving children's oral health on a national level, she is an advocate for "Smiles Across America," a division of Oral Health America and for the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, president of the Philadelphia component of the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists' Association, and member of Public Citizens for Children and Youth. Kimberly has received several awards for her community dentistry efforts, her volunteer work has helped procure over 1.5 million dollars in dental treatment and education to uninsured children throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Kimberly is a Registered Dental Hygienist with 16 years experience. She currently practices with Dr. Ken Cirka's office, a cosmetic dental practice located in center city Philadelphia. Kimberly resides in New Jersey with her husband Jim, an Electrical Engineer with General Dynamics. Jim also serves his town as a Planning and Zoning Board member and his country as a reservist in the United States Air Force. Some of Kimberly's passions include, judging pageants, running , Toastmasters, modeling, CrossFit training, dancing, watching the Phillies, enjoying the arts, taking long walks with Maggie & Mina, and skiing with Jim wherever there is snow.



Kimberly understands the importance of teamwork, and from early in her college years has recognized and developed her leadership skills. Kimberly was chosen Student American Dental Hygienists' Association class president in college and was also chosen the team ambassador later when she became a professional cheerleader at age 34. Recently utilizing her leadership skills, she has created a program for Dental Hygiene students from Community College of Philadelphia to visit schools throughout Philadelphia, providing children with dental health education.

Kimberly represented New Jersey in 2008 by holding the title of Mrs. New Jersey International . She had a very successful year, educating 84 classrooms and making memories to last a lifetime. She currently holds the title of Mrs. New Jersey All American Woman 2010, working hard to be the next Mrs. All American Woman. The crown has opened many doors to educate the public on oral health issues. With her dedication and compassion she has proven to be a catalyst for improving the public's awareness of children's oral health issues, making a difference in thousands of children's lives. With her compassion and dedication she will continue to promote community dentistry projects, and make the nation's children healthier, one smile at a time.

Educating for a Healthy Smile

Tooth decay is the #1 most common chronic childhood disease in America. Children suffering from tooth decay will often have difficulty eating and sleeping, therefore affecting their ability to concentrate. Educating for a Healthy Smile is an initiative to promote the importance of children's oral health through education. For the past 5 years, I have been visiting school classroom's, community centers and churches throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, educating children grades K-3 on the importance of a healthy smile. My presentation introduces them to proper brushing, healthy snacks and dental sealants. Thanks to my generous sponsors, each child is given a free toothbrush and educational materials to take home to their parents.

Each presentation is approximately 45 minutes long, depending on the size of the group. I will start off the presentation by introducing myself and "Little Bill", he is my stuffed donkey that has very big teeth, we use him for the children to practice brushing with. I will then introduce some dental words the children may be unfamiliar with, show them a video on children's oral health , demonstrate proper brushing and allow the children to brush "Little Bill's" teeth, discuss healthy vs. non healthy snacks for the teeth, explain what a dental sealant is and then have a question & answer session with the children.

You will find my contact information on this blog, please contact me if you are interested in having a children's oral health presentation in your school, church or community center.

Smiles Across America is a national program that brings the educational component of community dentistry into inner city classrooms across the country. Please visit their web site for more information on a program that might be in your community.

Bright Smiles, Bright Futures, which is sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive, is another children's oral health program that has provided me with my educational materials. If I can not be in the classroom, any teacher may request toothbrushes and educational material to be sent to your classroom. This is a national and a global program that allows teachers to be oral health educators when the dental professionals can not be there. I encourage all teachers to be oral health educators, please visit their web site to request the proper materials for your in school presentation.

A special thanks to StarSmilez for donating "BG Roo" and his baby kangaroo, Church & Dwight for donating Spin Brushes and toothpaste, and Doc Bresler's Cavity Busters for donating manual toothbrushes and brochures. I am happy to have been blessed with these generous donations, and for having such a successful in classroom Oral Health Education Program.

Unfortunately there are many of children throughout our nation who's oral health needs are unmet. With proper education of how to prevent tooth decay, we can minimize the occurence in our children by 50%. This is what has inspired me to give back to my profession and to my community. reason I am just what I am doing throughout our communities.
I conquered the "Beast of the East," the McGuire Mud Run. Along with my friends and family, we had a very rewarding day running a 10k race through 18 obstacle courses. My favorite obstacle was the low crawl through mud and water just .75 miles into the run. My least favorite was climbing the 12ft wall made of plywood with dirt on the back side. This would have been an easy obstacle if I would have used the rope but I decided to be ambitious and run up it without using the rope. I made it all the way to the top with 3 giant reaches of my little legs and lost my grip at the top. You can guess how this went, I completely ate it, the wall that is lol! My abrasions were not that bad, my high socks completely saved my shins, just allowing the skin to be removed from my knee, elbow, forearm, and wrist. What an emotional moment crossing the finish line. A special thanks to all my friends and family for joining me on this event. The race takes place every September in support of our military, this years race was on September 11th, I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day in support of our Country. I look forward to next years race, and improving my time.