Project Smile Inspiration. This project began when Michelle B. said she felt like a monster with horrible teeth. "I felt like a silent monster afraid to talk, smile, and laugh." With diligence and the help of others, she was able to get her teeth fixed - which changed everything.
After fixing her teeth, Michelle B. laughed as she said,
"I smile at everyone I pass. I'm not hiding. I see me instead of my broken teeth. I know how expensive it is to fix teeth. I wish others could have the smile I have now."
Well, her wish came true. Megan now has a similar smile.
This is how the project unfolded:
Inspired by the transformation of Michelle B. as a silent monster to feeling loved, seen and heard—a small group decided to partner with her to help others get dental care.
So many people who are homeless and near homeless suffer from extensive dental damage. Dental disease is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia, poor pregnancy outcomes, and dementia and that without proper dental care, people often pass these physical challenges to their children.
I read this article, one in a series written by journalist Maggie Clark about a young mom named Megan who lives in my town. She's pictured here with her daughter.
Photo: Rachel S. O'Hara, Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Troubled by this mom's struggle to find someone who would treat her daughter and curious about whether she found help for her own dental disease, Maggie introduced me to Megan.
“Are you Megan?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Megan scoops the baby out of the cart and tells me that her two daughters are with their grandma. “I’m babysitting this little joy-basket for my friend while she packs up her house. It’s too hot in there for the baby." The baby smiles and snuggles into Megan's hug.
We chat about Megan’s life and exchange stories about her kids and my grandkids. She talks about the literal pain of her toothaches. "I can't even play with the kids. My face swells up and closes my eye." I ask what she does for the pain. "I just get through it."
Megan talks about how she makes sure her girls brush their teeth, but says that it often hurts too much to brush her own teeth.
She says she can't afford to fix her own teeth.
“I’ve had bad teeth for so long. Some people think I have meth mouth, but I don’t. My mom had bad teeth. Now I have bad teeth, and my daughter has bad teeth.
Then I ask, “What if it's possible to find dental care for you?” Her eyes light up with an energy that bounces the baby up and down. "Yes, ma'am. I'm scared, but I want to."
We found help at Turning Points*. Turning Points has a holistic and integrated approach to treating people with the least resources.
UPDATE
Turning Points used Project Smile's donations to provide Megan (and others) with dental services. This is Megan before, and in the dentist chair after she received her new smile.
Though Project Smile ended, the need for dental care continues. Curious about the potential of your gift? THIS might surprise you. It did me.
PROJECT CREATORS
Susan Michael Barrett, Michelle B., Michelle Moore, Marianne Richmond
PROJECT HELPERS
Terry Barrett; Sheril Burkhart; Margi Dawson and Adell Erozer, Turning Points; Rich Fidler, CPA, LLP; Shaun Hoyle; Liv Lane; Michael Nelson; Megan Swisher; Tracie Wells, LPC
TURNING POINTS, a silver star charity, is a unique model of comprehensive and integrated support services under one roof.*
Turning Points, serving the homeless and near homeless, can now quantify its value to the community. South Florida’s Muma College of Business study finds the organization worth more than $43 million to the county. Turning Points spares Manatee $22 million—saved in taxpayer money from medical treatment at the homeless center instead of hospital emergency rooms [where only the symptoms of dental disease are treated, usually with pain meds and antibiotics] and inpatient hospitalization... (Bradenton Herald).