La Cresha’s Trip to the Dentist
It has been eight years since ten-year-old La Cresha’s last visit to the dentist. Recently,
the energetic fifth grader from eastern Tennessee put the needs of others first when she donated
15 ½” of her hair to be made into wigs for children battling cancer. With a passion
to become a veterinarian, La Cresha’s favorite subjects are math and social studies. Her and
her mother Nancy’s strong and positive attitudes do not tell of their daily struggle to make
ends meet. But when help comes, like our dental clinic last weekend, they both were very grateful.
On November 12th and 13th, seventy-one volunteers including an oral surgeon, dentists, dental
students, dental hygienists, dental assistants, student dental assistants, nurses and support
people came to Shelter Rock Ministries in Boone, North Carolina with one goal in mind. They wanted
to make sure the low income families in the surrounding area received free dental care. In just
two days the team performed an amazing 950 dental procedures! Some had to get teeth pulled, others
had fillings or cleanings; a few had to get it all!
In addition, an optometrist from Eye Witness and a team of volunteers set up a trailer with eye
examination equipment. They also brought in an array of lenses, frames and a grinder. Once patients
found out their current prescription and picked out a frame, they waited for about an hour for
new glasses!
Nancy and La Cresha made the twenty-five minute drive on Saturday morning. As a single parent,
Nancy works hard painting houses, but there are not any medical or dental benefits that go along
with the job. During the day Nancy had her teeth cleaned and a couple of cavities filled as well
as her eyes checked, and received a new pair of prescription glasses. La Cresha only needed a
teeth cleaning; she was cavity free!
A Volunteer’s Heart
This was Kit’s first dental mission. As a registered nurse, she and three others took the
blood pressures, temperatures and gathered medical history before patients saw the dentist or
hygienist. Her son Jesse works at Shelter Rock and had been a tremendous help during our spring
clinic. She commented, “I had heard how great the dental clinics were and I wanted to participate!”
Alleviate a dental patient’s pain by choosing Gift #6 out of our Holiday Catalog!
Because we utilize volunteer dental professionals, it takes very little to make a lasting difference
in the lives of men, women and children who don't have the ability to see a dentist without your
help. Your gift of $40 or more can help provide treatment for ten patients.
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