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Special Section
Putting Smiles on Patients' Faces
Centennial Smiles II provides quality oral health care to those who need it most
Kimberlin Styblo of Livingston rejoiced at being number 325 in line with her husband and four children. They came prepared with toys and books to enjoy while waiting for the dental services they so badly needed.
Jerry Long, D.D.S., president of the UT Dental Branch at Houston Alumni Association, examines a patient during Centennial Smiles II. The event provided oral health care to nearly 500 members of the community. Photo by Brian Schnupp.
Styblo said her children are enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). But CHIP does not provide them with dental insurance. "When a child's teeth hurt they are not focused on anything, certainly school work," Styblo said. "Being in line today is very important for our family."
The Styblos' long wait for free dental care was just one of many examples of the need that was present on Saturday, April 9, at The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston during Centennial Smiles II. The event, co-sponsored by the Greater Houston Dental Society, was successful in providing basic dental care to nearly 500 people.
Limitations in space, staffing and time, resulted in approximately 1,500 others receiving information to return to the clinic for care on another day.
"Centennial Smiles II turned out to be everything it was meant to be - a day at the UT Dental Branch where people put themselves aside and focused on the purpose - providing quality oral health care to those who need it most," said Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of the Dental Branch.
"It was truly an emotional day. To see families, many with small children, wait in line for hours and still show much appreciation for the services that were offered was a humbling experience.
"We at the Dental Branch are grateful to the Greater Houston Dental Society, the Texas Academy of General Dentistry, the volunteer dentists, professionals and support staff who contributed their time to make the day a success," she said.
"I also send thanks to the Greater Houston community, the mass of citizens who put their trust and faith in us to perform a charitable service. I do believe we brought smiles to the faces of many by placing them on a path toward improved oral health."
Through the efforts of 78 volunteer dentists and a host of dental professionals and paraprofessionals, low income patients were seen from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Staff of the Dental Branch and the other volunteers, who were steered by Peter Triolo, D.D.S., associate dean for patient care, and John A. Valenza, D.D.S., executive associate dean, pulled together to ensure that those in line received fillings, extractions and other basic dental needs.
"My kids have Medicaid, so they are taken care of," said Crishonda Sterling, who began standing in line at 6 a.m. "But dental care is so expensive that I often can't afford to go. I have really been neglecting my own needs."
Jerry Long, D.D.S., president of the UT Dental Branch Alumni Association, said he can understand patients like Sterling. "Unfortunately Medicaid does not cover adult dentistry," he said. "But the Dental Branch is very committed to making sure that people in the community who deserve affordable dental care receive some assistance."
Long's first patient of the morning said she hadn't been to the dentist in six years.
Patients also had an opportunity to be screened for oral cancer by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry. Connie Sonnier, executive director of the academy, said the mobile unit is taken across the state for screenings. When they learned that Centennial Smiles II was taking place, they jumped at the opportunity to provide the service on the same day.
"We are excited by the turnout this year and are glad we came," Sonnier said. "At this event we are getting a lot of people screened because we have a captive audience. They are already here for one service and can take advantage of another."
Craig Armstrong, president of the Greater Houston Dental Society, said the UT Dental Branch and GHDS should be proud of the day.
"The ability to make such an impact on a person's life, as we all did on Saturday, is a tremendous honor and is something that is sure to stay with us for many years. The words of appreciation and the smiles on the patients' faces made it all worth it for me," he said. "I am proud of my profession, my school and my colleagues for a job well done."
By Erika E. Durham, Public Affairs