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Creating self-confidence, inspiring hope and changing lives for children in our community has become a passion for local orthodontist Dr. James E. Kelley II.

He's partnered with the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation to offer ten scholarships to deserving children who need braces.

The foundation provides orthodontic work to children all over the country, but this is the first chapter in the Lowcountry.

Launched this year, Dr. Kelley has accepted and treated his first patient, Lara Brooksbank.

She is an eighth grader at Christ Our King Stella Maris where she is not only a straight "A" student, but she tutors other students at her school and is a member of the school choir and student council.

The students who will be selected for these special scholarships are not just kids with financial needs. The selection process is specific to students who of course have a significant aesthetic need for braces between ages 11 and 18 years old. But more importantly, students must demonstrate a positive attitude, agree to follow the treatment plan and demonstrate the commitment to come to appointments. Students must show involvement in leadership and extracurricular activities and community service, as well as have two positive recommendations from teachers or community leaders. There is also an income requirement in which parents must have an income of no more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Dr. Kelley understands that a lot of kids just don't have access to orthodontic care. So he started the South Carolina Lowcountry Chapter of Smiles for a Lifetime in hopes of reaching out to families through dentists, pediatricians and schools.

"We're looking for kids who want to work hard, who are trying to help their community in some way and eventually give back to others," he said.

Kelley grew up with a father who is a dentist. As a child, he was in and out of his father's practice. He was naturally attracted to the dental profession and chose orthodontics because of the age of the patients. He like the fact that he could have the chance to watch his patients grow and develop while giving them a great smile and the confidence that goes along with it.

Kelley grew up in Atlanta. He married his wife who is originally from the area. He is a board certified orthodontist and completed dental school and orthodontic training at Medical College of Georgia.

He explained that most orthodontists in the area do some sort of charitable work but nothing on an organized level such as Smiles for a Lifetime.

"I wanted to be sure I was doing my part," he said.

Braces average about $5,500. Sometimes insurance covers about $1,000 of that cost. The price of braces is expensive because of the cost of the materials, the cost of the diagnosis and the fact that patients are seen for about two years for 15 to 20 times for adjustments and fittings for retainers.

The scholarships will cover the costs of all procedures and applicants will be chosen by a board of directors which include a school principal, dental professionals, a pediatrician, a CPA, an attorney and a media liaison. Applications for the next round of recipients are due June 30. A selection will be made by mid-July.

First patient

As for Lara, she is a bright young lady who was a little nervous last week when she went in for her first procedure. Her classmates already have braces and they warned her of the discomfort she may face. But Lesa Jones, clinical assistant, assured her that it was nothing that a little bit of pain reliever wouldn't fix. And that was a relief because Lara is the lead singer for the Celtic band and plays five instruments including the bagpipes and piano. She is an assistant in the nursery at St. Andrew's Church on Sundays and is the clerk of court in the Mount Pleasant Youth Court and a member of the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

This young lady is also a member of Bishop England Scholar and a cantor for Stella Maris Church every other Saturday night. When she grows up, she wants to be an astronautical engineer, a lawyer or an author because she enjoys math, science, politics and writing.

The recommendations Lara received all describe her and her family as giving and unselfish. Lara herself is described as "a diligent worker with a kind loving manner." One recommendation said, "enhancing her smile would make this young lady with a beautiful heart even more beautiful on the outside."

For more information, contact James E. Kelley II, DMD. Visit www.kelleyorthodontics.com where you can also find an application or call 843.856.9323 or visit www.s4l.org.