By Skin of Its Teeth, ‘Prince Chomping’ Wins Children’s Dentistry of Forest Park Charity Contest

By the skin of its teeth, “Prince Chomping” emerged from a pack of six potential names in the “Ready, Set…Name That Smile Contest” sponsored by Children’s Dentistry of Forest Park.

From now on, that regal play on words will identify the 6-foot, 200-pound “smile with shoes” that’s above the front door of the pediatric dentistry practice. Other whimsical options that made the finals: Frankie Fresh Mouth, Chewy, Mr. Chompers, Chipper Chomper and Smooches, which made the final cut from more than 60 nominations.

Each individual whose nomination advanced to the final round receives a $25 gift card to Target.  

Even more significantly, all of the charities named by the nominators will receive $100 from Children’s Dentistry. They are:

PACTT Oak Park at www.pactt.org (Prince Chomping); Prevail at www.prevailon.org (Frankie Fresh Mouth); American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org (Chewy); the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, at www.luriechildrens.org  (Chompers);: Ronald McDonald House at www.rmhc.org (Chipper Chomper); and Feed The Children at www.feedthechildren.org (Smooches).

Voting occurred for the last three weeks of September on the practice’s Facebook page as well as inside its office.

In August, Children’s Dentistry announced the effort as a community-minded way to give a moniker to the eye-catching structure commissioned by its founder, Dr. Jerry Udelson. In June, he installed it above the office at 1125 S. Harlem Ave. in Forest Park.

Children’s Dentistry’s is well known for its “Little Teeth, Big Smiles” motto; it is next door to Big Smiles Orthodontics, Center for Orthodontic Excellence practice, also owned by Udelson.

Wrapping around three sides of a decorative brick wall, each tooth is 13 inches tall and the teeth are seven feet across. Beneath the giant teeth is a pair of green high-top sneakers, laced to the top and roughly 2 feet in length. On one side of the teeth is a mock key, suggesting the teeth are just a few rotations away from starting to chatter.

From naming the practice’s colorful car “Fluo-rider” to a variety of games children can enjoy during visits, the playful addition is just the latest example of Udelson’s passion to create a fun, welcoming environment for children and adults alike.

To learn more about Children’s Dentistry of Forest Park, call 708-FUN-KIDS (386-5437) or visit www.kidsdentistforestpark.com.