I have something special for you today: Bonny Glen’s first-ever guest post. Our good friend Dan Tapper worked at a rather amazing charity event last weekend, and when he related the story to us, I asked if he would share it here. Thanks, Dan.
Making a Difference, One Smile at a Time
by Dan Tapper
They came from as far away as Georgia, and as nearby as down the street. Different colors, different ages, different backgrounds. Some were college students and many were elderly on fixed incomes, though the majority qualified to be categorized as “working poor.” This is the group that used to be known as the working class in America. No more.
They all came to a bright, new college campus in Danbury, Connecticut – the richest state in the richest country in the world. They came by the hundreds in lines that stretched longer than football fields. They came for one reason and one reason only – to get free dental care. It was something they otherwise couldn’t afford.
They all came in need, and they all left with a smile. A healthier, more hopeful smile.
This past weekend, more than 2,000 people were treated as dental patients at the 5th Annual Connecticut Mission of Mercy, a free clinic that has been offered annually in Connecticut since 2008. America’s Mission of Mercy is a national project designed to provide essential emergency dental services for those who need them and can’t afford them, and also to raise awareness of the dental health crisis that exists in America. The first Mission of Mercy was held in rural Virginia in 2000 – in 2008, Connecticut became the 7th state to hold one. By the end of 2012, 23 different states will hold their own Missions of Mercy.
The name says it all – relieving people of dental pain is the epitome of a mission of mercy. Dental pain can ruin your day, can cause you to lose sleep, can destroy your mood and can make you not want to get out of bed in the morning. Dental distress can lead to greater health problems – poor dental health has been firmly linked to diabetes, heart disease and low birth weight babies. Dental health is medical health, period.
The Connecticut Mission of Mercy is here for this reason. More than 200 dentists and 1,600 volunteers set up a 120+ chair dental clinic and treated more than 2,000 patients over a two-day period, starting at 6 a.m. both days. This was not simply a “Smile Mobile: or a quick lesson in dental hygiene. This was a full range of dental work – x-rays, cleanings, fillings, root canals, extractions and even temporary dentures.
Dentists stood side by side dozens of their colleagues in a college basketball arena that had been transformed into a massive dental office, treating patients and doing everything with grace and good humor. All told, dentists provided more than $1.2 million in dental services for free over the two day period.
One of those patients – the first one on line, actually – was a delightful and cheerful 30-something woman named Jessica, who came from 70 miles away with her nine-year-old son to get their teeth fixed. Jessica was temporarily in a wheelchair due to a recent leg injury, but it didn’t stop her from arriving 17 hours early – seventeen hours!!! – to get in line at 1 pm Thursday for a clinic that opened at 6 am Saturday.
Jessica’s story is as familiar as it is maddening. Her husband works in construction and she homeschools her son. They are a happy family, proud of who they are and what they do to take care of each other. They are not looking for hand-outs. But his work doesn’t provide him with dental insurance, and the family makes too much in income to qualify f
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I absolutely love this interview! How inspiring and motivating. I think it is also great how Dr. Austin pointed out that we have to take time out each week to learn and think about marketing. I think that is soooo true. And by the way, I would love some tips for a Hollywood smile that doesn't cost a bunch of money! Great idea for a book!
Margo Dill
http://margodill.com/blog/
Great interview, Jodi!
Dr. Austin, I love the advice you gave for running a successful business. It's so true, and important, to have a team that shares your vision and works together toward goals. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with our readers. You are truly inspiring!
Wonderful interview! As a writer/dental hygienist, I know how important a beautiful smile can be!
Ruth