Dentist gives free care for victims

Local News

Discussion

March 5, 2010

Program helps domestic violence shelter residents obtain dental care

By DANIELLE RUSH The Kokomo Tribune Fri Mar 05, 2010, 11:11 PM EST

It’s hard to interview for a job when you think the interviewer is staring at the teeth you are ashamed to show.

Pam Isaacs, program coordinator for the Family Service Association domestic violence shelter, said one of her clients faced that issue — she was trying to get back on her feet and become self-sufficient, but was self-conscious about her teeth, which needed serious dental care. The woman had no dental insurance, and it seemed there was no way she could have the work done to fix it.

Then, she talked to Jessica Hewitt, team leader at Be Gentle Cosmetic & Family Denistry in Kokomo, and learned that dentist Dr. Edward Mamaril participates in the Give Back a Smile program, from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. The program provides free dental care to survivors of domestic violence, through an application process.

Hewitt and the Be Gentle team took it one step further and invited Isaacs to bring women from the shelter Friday for a day of free preventative dental care, including teeth cleaning and some restorative work. Hewitt said women who needed more extensive work were encouraged to apply for the Give Back a Smile program, adding that Mamaril is one of the few participating dentists in Indiana.

The women also received clothing given by Our Friend’s Closet, hair styling and manicures from Carrie White from LaReve salon and massages from Traci Jones of Body and Soul Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Isaacs said five women came for assistance. Their identities were being kept confidential to maintain their privacy, she added.

“This is just a huge blessing for all our women,” she said.

Hewitt said the dentist’s office was closed to other patients Friday, and the staff members provided their services as volunteers. Many of Mamaril’s patients also donated groceries to send home with the women. The staff hopes to make the day an annual event.

Many of the women are living in the shelter’s transitional housing program. When the women first arrive, they may stay up to 45 days in the crisis shelter, learning how to be safe, how to have healthy relationships and how to be self-sufficient. When that time is up, they can move into one of the apartments owned by the organization while they get back on their feet, until they are ready to be on their own again.

Isaacs said the women were grateful for the pampering, and she is glad it is available.

She said many of the women do not have jobs with health insurance, let alone dental insurance, and most have had to put oral hygiene on the back burner.

For some, like the women who inspired her to ask for help, it becomes an emotional burden.

“She knows in her mind when she talks to people, they’re staring at her teeth. When I see her and talk to her, I don’t even notice it, but that’s how she sees it in her world.”

Hewitt said team members were glad to be able to help.

“I about cried when the first lady walked out,” she said.

• Danielle Rush is the Kokomo Tribune education reporter. She can be reached at 765-454-8585 or danielle.rush@kokomotribune.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Wind farm company seeks tax abatement
Howard County officials are being asked to consider a 10-year tax abatement for the proposed wind farm in the eastern portions of the county.

May 29, 2012
Local ceremonies honor those who fell in combat
Everyone who had gathered Monday afternoon at Darrough Chapel Park was there to remember the hundreds of names below their feet. Each brick in the Howard County Veterans Memorial’s Walk of Honor had the name of a soldier who died in battle.

May 29, 2012 1 Photo
Carver Center selects new director
Former Kokomo city councilman Dennis Morgan is expected to take the reins at the Carver Community Center, just ahead of the annual Ribfest fundraiser.

May 29, 2012
Colts ‘bring blue’ to Kokomo with team’s Fan Fest
The Indianapolis Colts will host a Fan Fest from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 22 at Foster Park, 721 W. Superior St., Kokomo. A free community concert by Poco will begin at 6:30 p.m.

May 29, 2012
$50,000 pantry fundraiser at $4,390
A fundraiser for Howard County food pantries was less than one-tenth of the way to the goal at the campaign’s half-way mark, according to one of the organizers.

May 28, 2012
Fans remember Dan Wheldon at Indy 500
Fans of the Indianapolis 500 took time on race day to remember Dan Wheldon, the popular driver who died in a crash last year at Las Vegas Speedway.

May 27, 2012 1 Photo
Sixth-grader read dictionary twice to prepare for spelling bee
Sixth-grader Pranav Haran spent six weeks reading through the entire dictionary twice.

That’s more than 472,000 word entries.

May 27, 2012
Library building costs may rise to finish project
The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library’s Outreach Building is looking good from the outside, but library officials indicated this week they’ll need additional funds to complete the project.

May 27, 2012
Graduation has been a long time coming
People always told Megan McCall that she would never amount to anything, but her mom knew she would prove them all wrong some day.

May 26, 2012
Blood drives will honor fallen officers in June
Throughout the month of June, the American Red Cross will participate in the statewide Fallen Officer Blood Drive Campaign. This is the sixth year the Red Cross will host blood drives across Indiana to honor fallen officers and raise awareness of the need for blood.

May 26, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Dentist gives free care for victims

Program helps domestic violence shelter residents obtain dental care

Site Map

Contact Us