I Grew Up Too Poor To Smile“We have to pull it. Nothing else is covered.” The dentis

I Grew Up Too Poor To Smile

“We have to pull it. Nothing else is covered.” The dentist would say, looking at me like I should be glad to get even that bit of charity. Tears would fill my eyes as yet another tooth that could have been saved was yanked from my head. 

When I was younger, we were riding in my grandfather’s truck when my grandmother tickled me and I broke my front tooth on the dash, leaving the root exposed.  The next day, we went to the dentist, who performed a root canal and placed a temporary cap on top.  A year ago, I learned that my mother didn’t have dental coverage at the time and that the dentist had provided this service (and many others in my childhood) for free.  I can smile confidently because someone went out of their way for me.  Although no one should be shamed for the state of their oral health, everyone should have the right to a confident smile regardless of their ability to pay.