Care Center Dentistry

The first day I first met Peggy at the continuing care community; she was largely confined to her chair and bent over from intractable back pain.  She was pale and in in low spirits.  All the discomfort of her ailments had marooned her from the emotional support of her home environment, and had deposited her in a caring but unfamiliar milieu.

On top of this, she had suffered weight loss and oral difficulties associated with her recent dental problems.

Her daughter, Erin, intuited that caring for Peggy’s dental condition could be the start of her Mother’s recovery, and had contacted us at Yellow Springs Dental Care.

We see patient’s in their home or care facility when the circumstances permit.  Too often, however, family caregivers tend to trivialize dental care as an “extra” nonessential item.  But Erin understood the importance for her Mom’s spirit and self esteem and arranged for us to begin Peggy’s oral rehabilitation.

In Peggy’s case, the dentistry she required absolutely restored her self-confidence and strengthened her will to get well.  Of course the full program of medical interventions was central to her recovery, but the recuperative spark was ignited when she regained her nutrition, communicative skills, and appearance.

Peggy surprised everyone with the rapidity of the recovery that permitted her to go home and reclaim and fulfill her formidable role as Matriarch of her family.

This was an instance that restoring a smile had profound benefits for the patient’s total health and quality of life.  Thank you Erin and Peggy for permitting us to participate and reminding us of this important insight.