Miles for Smiles

Miles for Smiles 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run Walk is an annual awareness and fundraising event to support Healthy Acadis's Downeast Oral Health Team in Hancock and Washington Counties projects.  This year's event will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016, starting from Healthy Acadia, 140 State Street, Ellsworth, Maine.  This year's theme: Show YOUR Dental Spirit!  Dress in costume to impress the Miles for Smiles Tooth Fairy - you might be a tooth, a toothbrush or tube of toothpaste, a dentist, or the tooth fairy herself!  Prizes for best costume(s) will be awarded!

Healthy Acadia is excited to host the third annual “Miles for Smiles” road race to raise awareness about the importance of dental health to quality of life, and to support increased dental access and education throughout the region.  One of the projects currently underway is to raise awareness about the importance of oral health for pregnant women and infants. “Pregnancy and infancy are a critical time to ensure good oral health for the mother and the baby,” stated Sandie Dubay of Healthy Acadia. “If a mother has a healthy mouth, her infant is more likely to have a healthy mouth. The decay-producing bacteria can spread from a parent to the baby. This can lead to early childhood cavities – a costly health problem which is often painful and embarrassing for the young child. It is important for parents to take good care of their own teeth as well as the teeth of their babies, and to see providers regularly. Finding dental health problems early makes treatment easier and less costly, and best of all is preventing problems before they start!”

Registration/check-in begins at 8 a.m. The 5K walk/run begins at 9 a.m; the 1-mile fun run/walk begins at 9:15 a.m. Registration fee is $25 for the 5K  and $15 for the 1-mile walk/run. Students under age 18 pay just $10 for either event. The Run/Walk will start and finish at Healthy Acadia's office located at 140 State Street. Participants will head north on State Street, turn left onto scenic Shore Road and proceed to the midway checkpoint established for each event (5K/1-mile) before reversing course to return to the start/finish line.

For more information about “Miles for Smiles” road race and dental health programs supported by Healthy Acadia, contact Sandie at Healthy Acadia: 207-667-7171 or sandie@healthyacadia.org.