Shelly’s Journey Through the DDS Program

Dental Lifeline Network has a simple vision: ensure all vulnerable adults have access to life-changing dental care. For over 50 years, DLN has worked to make this a reality on a national scale through a network of compassionate volunteer dentists and labs. These caring volunteers change the lives of individuals like Shelly.  

Shelly’s Story 

Dealing with both health issues and a challenging cost barrier, accessing dental care is a challenge for Shelly, 73, a woman who is widowed and suffers from health disabilities, living in her longtime home in Mississippi. For many years, Shelly’s nursing career allowed her to positively impact the lives of her patients. However, her career as a nurse ended when she encountered significant health issues. Shelly struggles with Crohn’s Disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and osteoarthritis. She has also had multiple joint replacement surgeries and now uses a cane to get around.  

Along with her medical challenges, Shelly’s oral health was another area of concern. When Shelly came to the DDS program for help, her teeth were rotting, and some were missing as a result of not having saliva glands. Eating was painful and difficult, but she was unable to afford the treatment she desperately needed to restore her oral health. Surviving on a small Social Security benefit and with no family to help her in the process, Shelly felt alone and in despair. She wondered if she would ever be able to get the extensive dental care necessary to eat and smile again with confidence.  

DDS Volunteers Make an Impact  

Thankfully, a team of caring DDS volunteers stepped in to help! Shelly was treated by a volunteer dentist, Dr. Scott Martin, who helped her with her restorative needs. Working with a volunteer dental lab, Dr. Martin placed nine crown and bridge units to help repair her damaged teeth. Although there is more treatment to go, the care given has already allowed Shelly to eat pain-free again, smile more confidently and avoid infection. Dr. Martin is soon retiring, but Dr. Stone Thames, another volunteer dentist at the practice, is taking over his cases to ensure that DDS patients like Shelly receive life-changing care. Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, Shelly is receiving thousands of dollars in donated treatment that is restoring her oral health!  

How You Can Help 

When you volunteer with DLN’s DDS program, you make a difference for patients like Shelly. You’re not just restoring smiles; you’re creating brighter futures. 

“I volunteer for the DDS program because it is a beautiful means to serve those who we personally know need help,” said Dr. Martin. “It is important to take part in because of the obvious – more caregivers equal more care given. The not so obvious is the blessing we as a profession can give and receive in a great way to our local and state community.”

There are currently many patients across the nation who are awaiting the essential dental care that could transform their lives. DLN makes it easy to make a difference in the lives of those in need of comprehensive treatment: DDS coordinators pre-screen patients and work with specialists and labs to assure there are no lab expenses. Dentists determine the treatment plan and provide treatment in their own office; very little paperwork is required.

Learn how easy it is for you to change lives with DLN and sign up to be a volunteer today by visiting WhyIDental.org. 

Don’t wait! Sign up to be a volunteer by scanning the QR code or visiting WhyIDental.org and you can transform the lives of individuals in need of lifechanging dental care.