Giving Back Through Dentistry
One of my professors in dental school used to say, “If you change a smile, you change a life.” I never let go of the truth in that. A person’s teeth define them. They give confidence, make someone feel beautiful, and show others how friendly and approachable we are. It’s one of the first physical ways we connect with each other.
Dentistry has always been more to me than treating teeth. It is about healing and bringing people out of pain. It is about improving someone’s life and giving them confidence. It is also about ensuring that everyone has access to the dental care they need. This belief started early in my career when I worked at the Department of Health and Human Services serving underserved communities. It opened a window for me into rural North Carolina, where communities face huge barriers to accessing dental care — from simply not having a dentist in town to the cost of care being out of reach.
Working in rural offices from Dublin to Faison, and Newton Grove, I learned that dentistry is not only about restoring teeth but restoring confidence and physical and emotional self-worth. Working in public health clinics changed the way I practice; I became more patient-centered, adaptable, and mission-driven.
For seven years, I learned to truly listen to patients and understand their circumstances, and barriers to care. Those barriers, like lack of transportation, financial strain, and fear, can all affect oral health, and meeting those obstacles with empathy is paramount. I realized that building trust and approaching each patient with humility is just as important as delivering technical skills.
Although I lived in Wilmington, the long commute was worth the rewarding work. In 2008, I decided I wanted to be closer to home. I became involved with the local outreach dental clinic, which for many years was known as St. Mary’s Health Center. The clinic recently moved to South 16th Street and is now called the New Hanover Outreach Clinic. For the past 18 years, I’ve been a volunteer service provider and have also supported the organization in various board and leadership capacities.
I typically volunteer at the clinic one Saturday a month. The work is different from what I do in my practice at Driftwood Dental, but it is incredibly meaningful. Much of the care involves tooth extractions and helping people who are experiencing significant dental pain. These aren’t always complicated procedures, but they can make an enormous difference for someone who has been living with pain and hasn’t had access to the care they need.
My time working in rural communities prepared me to stay grounded when there’s a high demand for services and limited resources. Each time I have the chance to serve at the clinic, the experience reinforces the reason I entered dentistry.
What is great about the New Hanover Outreach Clinic is that a whole community of dentists in the area volunteer their time. It creates this wonderful network of dentists who are committed to giving back to the community. And it does not stop there — we work closely with UNCW pre-dental students who volunteer to gain critical first-hand experience in what dentistry can look like. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch these students go on to become dentists and carry the same commitment to serving their community.
After nearly two decades in Wilmington, I feel incredibly fortunate to call this community home and to have a career that allows me to make a difference in people’s lives. Volunteering at the New Hanover Outreach Clinic is one of the ways I can give back — and every time I walk through those doors, I’m reminded that sometimes the most rewarding part of being a dentist is simply being able to help someone who needs it.
Read more at driftwooddentalilm.com.
