Meet Sharon, CVIM Dental Patient

Sharon Snyder never thought she’d have problems with her teeth. She had good dental care as a child, and dental insurance with her job. But Sharon found herself in the middle of a divorce and facing other health challenges. Then she lost her dental insurance and could only afford dental care for her children. In three years Sharon developed a mouth full of problems, and didn’t know where to turn.

Every tooth in Sharon’s mouth had something wrong, but the most visible problem could be seen: parts of Sharon’s front teeth had chipped off. She was embarrassed and her self-confidence plummeted. Sharon could not eat properly with broken teeth, and she resorted to soft foods. Sharon’s other health issues exacerbated her dental problems, and her dental problems complicated her health issues. It was a vicious cycle, and she needed help.

A friend told Sharon about CVIM. Sharon never thought she’d rely on a free clinic, but she was in so much pain that she swallowed her pride, and scheduled an eligibility appointment. Once qualified for services, Sharon saw a dentist who developed her care plan. Her treatment would take several visits over a period of months due to the extensive damage that needed to be repaired.

First, CVIM addressed Sharon’s front teeth, the most visible problem in her mouth. Her embarrassment and fear of being judged by others about their appearance had handicapped how she spoke to others. She had learned to hide them by folding her upper lip over her broken-off teeth while speaking, and as a result, spoke with a bit of a lisp.

Sharon was handed a mirror at the end of her appointment for restorative care for her front teeth. She could barely believe her eyes, and could not find the words to describe how she felt. She told us, “I was astonished. I looked like my old self again. I couldn’t say a word. It was unbelievable to me. When I got to my car I broke down, and sat there for a while and cried. I was so relieved. All the way home I kept checking my smile out in the car’s rear-view mirror, and then I’d cry some more. My tears were tears of joy. I was no longer in pain, and I could smile with confidence once more.”

Today Sharon is nearly through her dental treatment plan. She says the life impact of the repairs to her front teeth has been great. Her confidence is back and her overall health is better. Sharon wants everyone to know how grateful she is for the care she received at CVIM. She thanks our volunteers, dental staff, and donors like you for helping change her life. She says that she does not know how her teeth would have ever been repaired without our services, and she suspects that her health would have continued to decline because of her unhealthy mouth.

“No one should have to think twice before smiling,” she says, “I received the best care, and now I once more have a beautiful smile. It means more than I could say, and has had a positive impact on my life. Thank you!”

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