Featured patient impact story: Breaking Barriers to Care
Curtis and his wife Joan came to Cherry Health dental services needing help because Curtis was uncomfortable, unable to smile, and simply could not function comfortably.
A result of treatment for two bouts with cancer, Curtis was missing several front teeth and his remaining teeth were decayed, making it very difficult for him to smile or simply live comfortably.
Without medical insurance or resources, Curtis could not afford treatment wherever he sought care. He decided to make a set of false teeth for himself from moldable plastic he had received from a family member who worked in a dental office in another state and used that set of teeth for five years. But he was getting progressively more uncomfortable and tired of not being able to eat a wide range of foods – that’s when Joan learned of Cherry Health. An initial dental appointment was scheduled and after his visit and a series of full-mouth x-rays, it was determined that all of Curtis’ remaining teeth were infected. It was no wonder that he was so uncomfortable and unable to eat without pain!
Curtis began seeing Dr. Timothy Hill where plans were made to remove all his infected teeth and make a set of proper upper and lower dentures for him. Understanding how to use a new set of full dentures is a learning process. Dr. Hill worked extensively with Curtis to help him re-learn how to eat and watched as his function improved with each visit. Curtis is now able to speak comfortably, enjoys roast beef sandwiches - and he has his smile back.
Joan beams when she shares, “Everyone we worked with at Cherry Health was outgoing, gifted, knowledgeable, and willing to give everything they had and were happy to do it to help Curtis.”
None of this would have been possible without Cherry Health’s Sliding Fee Program where patients’ payments can be as little as $15 per visit. Thanks to Cherry Health’s mission to provide affordable, accessible care, Curtis has his smile back.