As a textile worker and mother of 6, Maria Estella has always put others before herself. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Maria Estella immigrated to California in search of a better education for her children. She has lacked access to medical and dental care for as long as she can remember.
Maria Estella was looking to advance her career to a managerial position. She was referred to us from a community organization that provides business attire and interview training for womens’ vocational growth. During our initial intake examination we quickly learned that due to years of missing dental care, Maria Estella had simply forgotten how to smile. Our main goal was to restore her ability to smile by rehabilitating her confidence via dental treatment.
After a comprehensive, diagnostic, work up, a treatment plan was reviewed with Maria Estella and her community center liaison, Jenn, who helped explain the steps needed in her native language of Spanish. We reviewed the effects of periodontal disease and caries on her overall systemic health. We counseled her on oral hygiene and how to maintain any of the work we would be doing.
Her treatment included removing all her teeth, which were all loose, decayed, and infected. Implants were placed the same day and overdentures delivered. Maria Estella left with brand new teeth and her smile restored. The temporary dental prosthesis allowed Maria Estella to interview for the managerial position and got the position she had been hoping for! After healing, a new set of implant overdentures were made. She now exudes confidence that has been lost, and is able to smile and eat comfortably. We are so happy to have been part of Maria Estellas career advancement.
Once a vibrant and cheerful woman, Trang found herself at the intersection of resilience and hope after a harrowing encounter with an Asian hate crime left her physically and emotionally scarred. Trang, a proud member of her local Asian community, had always lived her life with a warm smile that could brighten anyone’s day. However, the incident not only shattered her self-esteem but also took a toll on her dental health, leaving her with painful oral injuries that needed extensive rehabilitation.
Trang’s journey toward healing and recovery began when a local dental office connected her with our dental charity. We were determined to restore her smile and, more importantly, her trust. With the support of our team and the generosity of our donors, we provided Trang with the necessary dental rehabilitation she needed. Through this journey, we witnessed the incredible strength and resilience of Trang as she not only regained her dental health but also found the courage to once again share her radiant smile with the world. Her story serves as a testament to the power of community, compassion, and the transformative impact of dental care, proving that together, we can help survivors rebuild their lives and reclaim their joy.