While a beautiful smile with sparkling, white teeth is desirable, good dental care goes beyond appearance.
But for those on a limited income, a visit to the dentist tends to be low on the list of priorities, falling well below the need for food and shelter.
Over the past year, the Upper Room Mission has been doing what it can to assist clients who need dental care. But between treatment and lab costs, it all adds up, so a fundraiser this Saturday will bring in much-needed funds to continue helping those in need.
Taking place at Vernon Family Church, the event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature borscht and a bun served by donation, along with dessert, tea and coffee. The event includes a silent auction, a plant sale and a bake sale, as well as a bottle drive.
Bev Henke is the mission’s street level supervisor. About a year ago, she met local dental assistant Susan Roth and the two discovered a common desire to help those in need.
“What started me getting involved was one of our guests came in with a pair of pliers in her hand and she had pulled her tooth, only she had pulled the wrong tooth,” said Henke. “I just couldn’t bear any more to see people suffer in this way. I knew this was part of our outreach, to help people in any way we could, so we do have a fund set up here for dental care.
“We believe that every person should be loved and respected. We just listen. People want someone to tell their story to.”
A bottle drive is ongoing throughout the year, with funds going towards dental care for the mission’s clients, but funds are always in short supply.
Meanwhile, Roth, who has 30 years of experience as a certified dental assistant, is now working with a local dentist who shares her beliefs that they are working for God, and not themselves when it comes to helping clients.
“We’re doing this work for the Lord, and he will provide,” she said. “So when I met Bev, I thought we might be able to help.
“People need to know that there is help, they are not alone. I’m so passionate about doing this, this has always been my vision. It’s been the most awesome thing, but you need a dentist on board. It’s gratifying to me on one level, but I’m so grateful that the Lord did this in his time.”
Roth had been set to go on a mission to Guatemala when things beyond her control put the trip on hold.
“On one level, I was upset, but I also believed that God always has a plan, and I met a dentist who has the same vision, I also met a denturist who has the same vision and a pediatric dentist and a periodontist,” she said.
While she and the dentist go off the clock to treat low-income patients, there are costs beyond their control, such as lab costs, but Roth doesn’t want there to be any barrier for those who need help.
“I believe that every human being is entitled to dental work without judgement as to why they need the dental work,” said Roth. “I believe that if they have disability coverage then that should be enough to cover all their costs because of a story that I don’t need to know about.
“I believe God sends people my way, however that happens. I don’t believe in a screening process, if the Lord brings them to me for a reason then that’s enough for me. I don’t work for a dentist, I work for the Lord. Everyone has their story, even me.”
Roth wants people to understand that dental work goes far beyond a pretty smile. When a tooth is infected and left untreated, the entire body suffers.
“Your teeth are so close to your brain and people can die from this. People will get treated with antibiotics but they still don’t get cured.”
And while the office has many patients who are able to pay the going rate for dental care, no one is turned away. And treatment continues for as long as is necessary.
“It’s very intensive, with every client we see, you often have five appointments, sometimes 10, anybody who needs treatment should have it done; it’s our job to figure out how to get that work done,” said Roth. “I don’t believe in doing a spec exam, I believe every person who walks through the door deserves to be treated like a wealthy person, they get the full meal deal: X-rays and a full exam. I’ve always believed in that. We want to treat the whole person.
“I had no idea there was so much demand.”
And with the Community Dental Access Centre set to open later this year, both Roth and Henke couldn’t be more pleased.
“We’re working together and we want to serve the people who fall through the cracks, we want it to happen,” said Henke. “We are excited about the Dental Access Centre, we need that, but we are trying to fill the gap now and for times that the centre can’t fill — there will be no shortage of patients, there are so many in desperate need in the community.”
Henke said Saturday’s fundraiser is to raise money for those with no dental care, for those who have no access to dental care and people in the community who belong to the working poor.
Silent auction items are most welcome, as are cash donations, with tax receipts provided.
Vernon Family Church is at 3508-25th Ave., next to Lincoln Lanes. Roth said a special thanks goes to Pastor Dietmar Molzahn who is lending out the church at no charge for the fundraiser, which will be at the rear of the church, with tables set up inside for everyone to have a comfortable space in which to enjoy their borscht.
“And if there is anyone out there who is looking for a cause to support, we’d love to be that cause,” said Roth, who is also looking for donations of new or gently used stuffed animals, which she gives to patients for comfort, and which they can take with them.
For more details, please call Henke at 250-549-1231 or e-mail Roth at d-roth@shaw.ca
