“Dr. Juggles” visits local schools, promotes National Children’s Dental Health Month

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steven D. Wilson
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  By day, Dr. (Capt.) Bradley Harrelson, 28th Medical Operations Squadron dentist, provides dental care to Ellsworth Airmen, but off-duty he sometimes morphs into a fun-loving character dubbed "Dr. Juggles." 

Doctor Harrelson's alter ego is a high-spirited dentist who juggles different objects -- including flaming torches. Dr. Juggles visited several local schools Feb. 11 to promote National Children's Dental health month, which is observed every February according to the American Dental Association's Web site at www.ada.org. He spoke to approximately 1,000 children at three different schools. 

Dr. Harrelson's Web site, www.drjuggles.com, says one of his classmates gave him the moniker "Dr. Juggles" while a student in dentistry school, as he had a reputation for juggling different objects. The name stuck and he began using the character and his juggling routine to quickly grab people's attention and speak with them about dental health. 

Dr. Juggles' costume is comprised of a frilly purple shirt, oversized lab coat with "Dr. Juggles" blazoned on the pocket, and green pants. His routine includes a lot of jokes, slapstick comedy and juggling while teaching children about the importance of dental health and oral hygiene. 

Doctor Harrelson said he enjoys morphing into Dr. Juggles because it gives the groups he is talking to license to have fun. 

"People, especially children, seem to learn more when they are enjoying themselves," Dr. Harrelson said. "The purpose of the Dr. Juggles character is to bring joy to hearts through the cheerful look of juggling, comedy, entertainment and health." 

One school administrator said they particularly enjoyed the presentation and noted the strong ties between Ellsworth and its Black Hills neighbors. 

"To see and learn things in a humorous way will hopefully help [the students] remember Dr. Juggles' tips when it's time to brush," said Jeannie Clark, Francis Case elementary school principal. "We've been looking for ways to partner with the community, and Ellsworth specifically, so when the call came from base to bring Dr. Juggles out we were really excited at the opportunity." 

Some may be surprised to learn Dr. Juggles was actually "born" overseas. 

"The character was first developed while I was serving on a dental mission trip between my first and second year of dental school," Dr. Harrelson said. "After a morning of extracting teeth, I would step out of the clinic in my scrubs and a white lab coat to juggle for all of the children present as I reviewed oral health facts in a fun and interactive fashion." 

Dr. Harrelson said he hopes Dr. Juggles can help alleviate the anxiety of going to the dentist. 

"Since children often develop a negative perception of the dentist, one of the goals is to stress to the children that the dentist is their friend and he wants to help them take care of their teeth," Dr. Harrelson said. 

For more information about National Children's Dental Health Month, visit www.ada.org.