An extrovert at heart, Valarie Jones started to pull back from her friends and family. Even at home, when she spoke her family asked, “What’s that smell?”
Something was wrong, and it was embarrassing. Valarie’s teeth looked fine, but life was descending into misery. Her family didn’t know what was happening when she retired to her room to pray. Her peace of mind was gone, and her self-esteem was “minus zero.”
“It all started when I noticed my bottom teeth were loose,” Valarie says. Valarie was skeptical anyone could help, but when she reached the point when she couldn’t bite or chew, she felt she had nothing to lose. She and her husband had become patients at Church Health, and she made an appointment in the dental clinic to get help for her teeth.
The good news was the kindness and compassion of the staff who treated her—and they had a plan of action. Under the guidance of Dr. Laurie Hodge in our dental clinic, Valarie learned about the root issues of gum inflammation and infection, which caused the odor in her mouth, and receding bone.
Dr. Hodge provided Valarie with some options. Valarie, who had just turned 60, was eligible for our Smile On 60+ program, an affordable offering that provides seniors with the opportunity to achieve a healthy smile. The work she needed would be extensive, including going to Church Health’s committed partners at the UT Dental Group.
“The bad news,” Valarie says, “was I had to have all my teeth removed. “I prepared myself for this. All I asked was to walk out with dignity.”
And she did. The inflammation in her gums and bone was addressed, and her new dentures gave her a show-stopper smile.
“Dr. Hodge saved me and my smile,” Valarie says.
Thanks to you, success stories like this are possible. Your gifts provide dignity and peace of mind every day to people who have lost hope, and we are grateful.
