Franklin Pediatric Dentist Group Snodgrass-King Addresses the Needs of the Poorest of the Poor

FRANKLIN, TN, January 14, 2011

For Dr. David Snodgrass, a Franklin pediatric dentist serving Williamson County at Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates, November 2010 represented more than family, friends and a turkey dinner. Dr. David Snodgrass and Dr. John T. King led a team of eleven Franklin pediatric dentist staff members to Haiti and the Dominican Republic, offering help to those most in need. They stopped in Sosua, DR at the Haitian and Dominican Assistance Corporation's Monkey Jungle Clinic, where the Franklin pediatric dentist helped to treat over 200 of the Dominican Republic's poorest of the poor.

In May of 2010, the Snodgrass-King Franklin pediatric dentists had donated new and used dental equipment to Monkey Jungle clinic and this was their first time back to actually use the clinic. Monkey Jungle is the brainchild of retired Nashville developers Chuck and Candance Ritzen. According to the Franklin pediatric dentists Dr. Snodgrass and Dr. King, the resort is a tourist destination for visitors wishing to interact with caged squirrel and capuchen monkeys. It also has one of the longest and fastest zip-lines in the Western Hemisphere. Built and owned by the Ritzens, all of the proceeds collected at the resort go to support the free medical/dental clinic that operates on weekends at the property. Without the support of this free clinic, many of the region's poor would continue to experience chronic suffering, according to the Franklin pediatric dentists.

Last month, after three days in the Dominican Republic, small planes flew the Franklin pediatric dentist team from Snodgrass-King into Haiti. Crossing the Haitian border from Dajabon, DR into Ouanaminthe, Haiti, the team spent the next four days at Danita's Children Hope for Haiti Center, where Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates had equipped a dental clinic in May of 2010. For the first time since Dr. Snodgrass and Dr. King began going to Haiti in 2007, the Franklin pediatric dentists were able to do more than extractions.

Over 300 of Haitians received cleanings, fillings, sealants, stainless steel crowns, extractions and routine restorative dental procedures from the team of Franklin pediatric dentists. Most of these individuals were either orphans supported by Danita's Children, the local children who attended Danita's school, the people who attended Danita's church, local Haitians who were in pain, or the local Haitian people employed by Danita.

Franklin pediatric dentist Dr. Snodgrass says that Danita's Children (www.danitaschildren.org) is a non-profit charity that focuses on rescuing and caring for orphaned or abandoned children in Haiti. Dr. David Snodgrass and Dr. John T. King have supported the orphanage since 2007. David and Melody Snodgrass have a daughter, Margarite, whose life was saved and nurtured by the missionaries at Danita's Children.

Following the January 2010 earthquake, the Franklin pediatric dentists increased their efforts to assist those in Haiti. Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates has been blessed with consistent growth and is now one of the largest pediatric dental practices in Franklin, Tennessee. Dr. Snodgrass reflects, "Living in middle Tennessee has provided so much for all of us at Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates. We are thankful to have the opportunity to serve."

Snodgrass continues, "In a very real sense as we go, we are there representing each one of our patients. Our Franklin pediatric practice has been blessed with many friends and patients over the years and as they have supported us, we in turn are able to support others who have a very different reality than our experience as Franklin pediatric dentists.

With offices in Franklin/Cool Springs, Springhill, Hermitage and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates offers a full range of pediatric dentist services for children as young as four. The Franklin pediatric dentists also offer comprehensive dental services for adolescent and adult patients. These services include cosmetic, orthodontic and oral and maxillofacial specialties.

To make an appointment with a Franklin pediatric dentist at Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates in Franklin (Cool Springs), call (615) 771-1111. Their pediatric dental offices are located at 125 Cool Springs Blvd.& Suite 140, Franklin, TN 37067.

With nearly 100 years of combined dental experience, the staff and pediatric dentists at Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates in Franklin serve middle Tennessee with one goal in mind - excellence. Founded by Franklin pediatric dentists Dr. David Snodgrass and Dr. John T. King, Snodgrass-King provides excellence in service, experience and convenience.

Franklin's Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates offers an excellent atmosphere for a first time visitor to the pediatric dentist's chair. When stepping into the Franklin office of Snodgrass-King a child instantly experiences something above and beyond the typical pediatric dentist's office. From the ability to watch movies during teeth cleanings to the video games to the possibility of meeting Chomp the alligator mascot, Snodgrass-King of Franklin offers something unique for children visiting one of their pediatric dentists. Additionally, the Snodgrass-King Franklin pediatric dental staff shines with their excellent experience and education.

Franklin pediatric dentist co-founder David Snodgrass has published numerous articles in several orthodontic and pediatric journals. In addition, the Franklin dentist serves as a part-time clinical professor at Vanderbilt University working with future pediatric dentists. As a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Orthodontic Society, and the International Association of Orthodontics, Dr. Snodgrass is a recognized lecturer. He also enjoys mentoring other pediatric dentists from Franklin and participating in study clubs in the Southeastern United States.

Co-founder Dr. John T. King, a Franklin native, loves his work with fellow pediatric dentists at Snodgrass-King. Following in his father's footsteps, Dr. King is Diplomat Board Certification with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Working with the founding pediatric dentists in the Franklin and surrounding areas are Dr. Bryan Burnside and Dr. Jennifer House. Dr. Burnside, prior to joining the Franklin pediatric dentists at Snodgrass-King, completed his training at Boston University Medical Center. He is a member of American Dental Association, Tennessee Dental Association, Nashville Dental Society, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. House also graduated from Boston University Medical Center before coming to work with the pediatric dentists at Franklin's Snodgrass-King. Her memberships include American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Tennessee Dental Association and the Nashville Dental Society.

However, the pediatric dentists at Franklin-based Snodgrass-King view their skills as having value beyond just fixing teeth. Dr. David Snodgrass and Dr. John King, along with other Franklin pediatric dentists, have volunteered their expertise in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Franklin pediatric dentists have also donated used dental equipment to clinics in the region. In fact, staff from Snodgrass-King have volunteered their time and services to Haiti since 2007. During a recent trip, the Franklin pediatric dentists helped over 300 patients. From Franklin to the far reaches of Haiti, the pediatric dentists of Snodgrass-King are committed to serve with excellence.

The highly skilled pediatric dentists at Snodgrass-King of Franklin provide orthodontic, pediatric, general and specialty dental work. The Franklin based pediatric dentists also perform general and cosmetic works along with oral and maxillofacial specialties. The website of Snodgrass-King (www.SnodgrassKing.com) provides many resources for families from their first visit to the dentist office to safety tips and general oral health. The Franklin based pediatric dentists of Snodgrass-King also have offices in Cool Springs, Spring Hill, Hermitage, and Murfreesboro.