DR. JENNIFER BUCHANAN COMMITS TO BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY Dr. Jennifer Buchanan of Buchanan Orthodontics in McKinney has spent the past 27 years giving her patients confidence by improving their smiles and actively supporting her local community. She founded Smiles Charity in 2008, which supports disabled veterans by providing mortgage-free homes each year. In this Q&A, Dr. Buchanan talks about her passion for orthodontics, what motivat- ed her to start Smiles Charity, how it has changed over the years and how people can participate. PAID ADVERTISEMENT Smilс for a Lifetime fe me
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE AN ORTHODONTIST? When I was 10 years old, a friend was pushing me on a wagon and I fell face first into the pavement. I had an overbite (early orthodontic treatment was not common at the time) so I chipped my front tooth. In my practice one reason we start early orthodontic intervention is to prevent teeth being chipped so easily. After I had orthodontic treatment, it increased my confidence and I knew I wanted to be an orthodontist. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do and I’ve never regretted it. WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR JOB? It is rewarding to create beautiful smiles that give confidence to patients to last a lifetime. It has been amazing to help patients improve their breathing and health as well. The first thing people notice about you is your smile and I love getting to play a small part in that.
WHERE DID THE IDEA TO START SMILES CHARITY COME FROM? One of my patients was killed in Afghanistan a week before his 21st birthday. It broke my heart. It made me realize we need to do more for our veterans who sacrifice everything so we can have a normal life. We host our Smiles Charity Concert fundraiser during Memorial Day Weekend in honor of veterans. HOW HAS SMILES CHARITY CHANGED OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS? Dr, Buchanan: After 2020, we changed the format of our fundraiser event. Instead of a big concert behind my office, we host an intimate concert with a silent and live auction for our sponsors. Previously we would build homes from ground up, but now we are paying off mortgages. Since we are raising more using this format, we’re able to help more veterans own their homes mortgage-free. Over the last 15 years Smiles Charity has awarded 20 homes! HOW CAN THE COMMUNITY GET INVOLVED? A portion of all fees we generate here in the office go to Smiles Charity. We encourage our patients to get involved with all of our volun- teer opportunities. Because they are a part of our practice, our patients are an extension of our community service projects. WHY IS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SO IMPORTANT TO YOU? There’s so much of a need in the world and you see it every day. It can get overwhelming thinking ‘What can I do?’ But, if we can just do one small thing at a time, it can make a difference. If you’re helping others, it makes you more grateful for the things you have and you don’t have time to worry about more trivial things in your life. It puts everything in perspective. To me that’s the greatest joy in life—to be able to help others and build others up. I’m blessed to be in a profession where I can do that.
Dr. Jennifer Buchanan
SMILES CHARITY CONCERT FUNDRAISER
Before
2023 recipients Elisabeth and Brandon Jones with headliner Niko Moon (center)
“Notice how narrow the dark space is meaning the airway is blocked off before treatment,” Dr. Buchanan said.
After
Buchanan Orthodontics is located at 6595 Virginia Parkway, Ste. 100, McKinney. To learn more or to schedule a free consul- tation with Buchanan Orthodontics, text 972�542�4412 or visit mckinneybraces.com.
[After 6 Months] “Notice the dark space that’s more open after six months of treatment. This creates better health and breathing for patients.”
Dr. Buchanan and guests enjoy headliner Niko Moon at the Smiles Charity Concert. (All Photos by Scott Peek photography)
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