How a Dentist Raised Over $10,000 for Children With a Rare Muscular Disorder

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a life-threatening genetic muscle disorder which affects approximately 1 in 3,500 male births worldwide. There is no known cure. Where some may lose hope, Dr. Thomas Nabors, DDS and his team united to contribute to ending this terrible disease.

In January 2009, Terry Marlin and his wife received the overwhelming news that their two sons, Jonah and Emory, had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a currently incurable disease that gradually deteriorates all muscles in the body. By age 8, both boys had lost the ability to walk. Doctors estimated that their life expectancy would be in the mid to late twenties.

FightDMD, the foundation created by the Marlin family, has raised over $750,000 to fund DMD-related and other cardiac research projects. In 2016, Dr. Thomas Nabors, DDS chose FightDMD as the beneficiary of his practice’s Smiles For Life campaign, an annual event in which dental practices all over the country whiten teeth to raise money for children’s charities.

March through June, Ultradent donates all the whitening materials, the practice donates the time, and 100 percent of the patient’s contribution goes directly to kids in need — half to a local children’s charity of the dentist’s choice, and half to a Smiles-For-Life-approved children’s charity. It’s that simple. Whiten a smile and help a child.

By the end of the 2016 campaign, Dr. Nabors and his team had raised over $10,000 for FightDMD, brightening patients’ smiles and helping us progress towards the day when no more families will have to hear the devastating news that the Marlins did.

Participating in Smiles For Life is the perfect opportunity to do good in the world, create incredible unity among your team members and patients, and boost top-of-mind awareness for your practice through social media. Click the link below to learn how your practice can become a Smiles For Life practice today!