President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. He provided the opening prayer. Coty Primeaux led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Eric Graham with Baker & Graham Dentistry. Eric graduated from the University Medical Center in Jackson. He and his wife have three sons. Eric presented via Zoom and has Robert Lockhart as his guest.
Eric noted that new and improved technologies help him better diagnose and treat issues with better results. Because he sees most of his patients twice annually, he can better identify problems that are slow to develop.
One such issue that he is seeing more of recently is compromised airway in children. Often this problem is the result of dental issues related to facial development. Most of the facial development in children occurs before the age of twelve. Four hundred years ago, humans had room in their mouths for all four wisdom teeth. They did because they breastfed until about the age of two and then began a diet of hard foods. This promoted proper bone growth. Today, many children are not breastfed and eat a soft diet of processed food which discourages proper bone growth. Most of the children he sees today require an orthodontist where they have several teeth pulled, including their wisdom teeth to make room for proper dental development.
Unfortunately, Eric’s presentation was cut short due to Wifi and Zoom issues. There is consensus that he should be invited back and provide his presentation live. There is also discussions about going back to all live presentations.
Mark reminded members that the Rotary Foundation is the club’s fourth quarter cause. Members are encouraged to make a $125 donation to the Foundation before the end of June.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mark adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”