John Lennon’s tooth helps children’s charity, Smile Train

After a dentist purchased one of John Lennon's teeth at auction, his artsy sister was able to incorporate it into a sculpture of the legendary former Beatles member that will now be on display to raise awareness and encourage donations for a children's charity.

According to the Edmonton Sun, Alberta dentist Dr. Michael Zuk "bought Lennon's tooth for more than $32,000 at a Stockport, England, auction in November," and then gave it to his sister, Kirsten Zuk, for her work of art.

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"I love John Lennon," Kirsten told The Sun. "I've been a huge fan all my life…This is like a time-capsule. It will contain his DNA."

NME reports the tooth was given to Dorothy Jarlet, Lennon's housekeeper between 1964 and 1968 and then went up for auction where it was bid on by Dr. Zuk simply because he "had to have it."

The clay Lennon statue is being displayed during Edmonton's Fringe Festival, which runs from August 16 to 26, in hopes that it will bring attention to the children's charity, Smile Train.

"Lennon gave his tooth to a fan in good spirit so I wanted to do a few things that would raise awareness of the charity Smile Train," Dr. Zuk said. "We are asking people that come to view the sculpture at Kirsten's Art Show this weekend in Edmonton to consider making a donation which helps children with cleft lip and palate."

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Smile Train is a charity that "[provides] free cleft surgery to hundreds of thousands of poor children in developing countries" with the help of "doctors and medical professionals in 87 countries."

"Every child born with a cleft - anywhere in the world - should have the opportunity to live a full and productive life," the organization writes on its website. "We leverage technology and innovation to train and utilize local partner hospitals and doctors and provide them with the resources, knowledge and skills to enable long-term sustainability."

For more information on how you can see the Lennon clay statue with the icon's actual tooth, head here.

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