Most people know they should brush and floss every day, and avoid too much candy or sugary snacks. For many middle- and low-income families, that was the extent of their dental care. In the past, dental care was seen as a luxury, separate from regular medicine, and mostly available to the wealthy. For decades, it was considered non-essential, with earlier care limited to costly, basic tooth replacements or painful extractions (Simon). In recent years, oral health care and education have become more accessible and affordable, especially for those in underserved communities. Brushing and avoiding sugar alone are not enough to sustain healthy teeth and gums. Regular dental cleanings and check-ups are essential to optimal oral health. This is my story...
I grew up in the South during the late '80s and early '90s. The old wisdom for maintaining healthy teeth was to eat apples and carrots frequently, brush with a mixture of baking soda and peroxide to ward off cavities, and use Listerine to kill germs. As for tooth extractions, they often involved a doorknob and a piece of string tied to a loose tooth. My parents weren't able to take my siblings and me to the dentist regularly, nor did they fully understand its importance. Unless it was a dental emergency—such as an unbearable toothache, abscess, chipped or rotten tooth—a dental appointment wasn't considered. As blue-collar baby boomers, my parents weren't fortunate enough to send my siblings and me, nor themselves, to a dentist regularly. Neither did they fully understand the significance.
Surprisingly, I never had a cavity. Still, the absence of regular cleanings and
orthodontic care led to poor dentition and gum disease. Throughout my youth, I'd dealt with my fair share of bullying and ridicule. By the time I graduated high school, I had several crooked teeth, including a half-inch
diastema (gap) between my central incisors. Compounding the issue, I began smoking cigarettes shortly thereafter. By age 25, my anterior teeth were loose and mobile due to chronic
periodontal disease, further affecting my personal appearance and self-esteem. As a result, I started avoiding social gatherings and would cover my smile whenever I laughed. I also had a fear of dental treatment because I understood it would be invasive at that point. I cannot prove it, but I am convinced that my poor dental health has cost me job opportunities.
Job instability, social isolation, and toxic relationships plunged me into a deep depression. I lost my way, and my future was uncertain until I changed my mindset. My core belief and obedience to The Most High (GOD) made me whole again. He showed me that I was not a victim of my circumstances. It was time to stop blaming the past. Determined to turn my life around, the first thing I did was quit smoking! One of the best decisions of my life. Just shy of my 30th birthday, I seized opportunities to reclaim my life, one determined step at a time. Through hard work and my mother's support, I was finally able to get the dental treatment I desperately needed. Furthermore, the compassionate dental team helped me face my fears and rise above my challenges. When I walked into that office, I hoped for a simple cleaning and braces, but life had bigger lessons in store. During my consultation, the dental assistant gently revealed that several of my teeth were beyond saving. My heart sank as the reality of my situation began to settle in. The dentist later explained that to restore my oral health, appearance, and functionality, I needed immediate periodontal treatment, the removal of decayed front teeth, and partial prostheses. No matter how delicately the news was delivered, the harsh reality was overwhelming. Losing half my teeth before age 30 was difficult to face. Yet, that experience was both heartbreaking and empowering.
The dental team guided me through each stage of my treatment. Their expertise, alongside the encouragement from my loved ones, profoundly impacted my life. In the end, I gained so much more than I lost. My new smile transformed my “bad teeth” into a representation of love and confidence. For the first time in years, I looked in the mirror and saw my true beauty. I felt like a butterfly, renewed with a bright future ahead of me. As I continued my routine visits, I grew increasingly inspired by the professionalism and teamwork that define dentistry. My journey ignited a passion within me to empower others in their pursuit of quality. affordable dental care, sparking the hope that my experiences could inspire change. Lying in the dental chair one day, I decided to have an active role in helping others overcome the challenges of poor oral health, as I did. Soon after, I enrolled in an
ADA/CODA-accredited dental assisting program at my local college. In 2013, I graduated with honors and earned certifications in Dental Assisting & Oral Radiology.
The years that followed were marked by acts of self-love and significant personal achievements. I was blessed to be elected
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter president at my college, study abroad in France, graduate with consecutive degrees, and meet the love of my life. Eventually, my dental career
evolved from private practice to a public health role, where I helped provide free dental services, educate children and families about oral hygiene, and the benefits of a healthy smile. After the COVID-19 pandemic, I chose to close this chapter of my life, confident I had given my best. Today, I proudly prioritize my family as a wife, stay-at-home mom, and entrepreneur. This balance empowers me to cherish important family milestones while confidently shaping my entrepreneurial journey.
Written by: Cheryl Washington
Citations: Simon, Lisa. “Overcoming Historical Separation between Oral and General Health Care: Interprofessional Collaboration for Promoting Health Equity.” AMA Journal of Ethics, vol. 18, no. 9, 2016, pp. 941–949, doi:10.1001/journalofethics.2016.18.9.pfor1-1609.
