The IL Donated Dental Services (DDS) program helps patients like Sadie, 66, who lives alone in Jefferson County. The widow of a Vietnam
veteran, Sadie lost her husband in 1988 and raised four children on her own while working as a CNA. She retired in 1990, due to medical issues including Myasthenia Gravis, a chronic autoimmune disorder, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes. Her dental health presented another challenge. She only had six upper and ten lower teeth remaining, which were broken and decaying. Sadie, however, was unable to afford the life-changing care she needed. Struggling on only a small Social Security benefit and widow’s veteran pension, the dental treatment she needed was out of her reach.
How DDS Helped
This all changed when two DDS volunteers came to Sadie’s aid. Dr. Michael Hiner, a general dentist, extracted her remaining natural teeth, while a volunteer laboratory donated a full upper and partial lower denture. Thanks to these caring volunteers, Sadie received thousands of dollars in donated treatment that restored her dental health, and gave her a new reason to smile. Speaking of the impact Dr. Hiner’s contribution had on Sadie, his office staff remarked:
“She is so thankful for her new smile and teeth to help her eat better! She can’t wait to have a steak!”
