New volunteer Anna Coulter shares what she hopes to take away from her first CTMOM experience

At the time of the CTMOM free dental clinic, I will be a sophomore at UConn on the pre-dental track. Many of my older pre-dental friends have expressed how rewarding volunteering at CTMOM was. It will be my first time attending CTMOM, and I’m excited to see how it will add to my view of dentistry. As I have been shadowing my dentist, I realize how important every person is in an office. From the dental assistants, front desk, floaters, and the dentists themselves, everyone works together to create an environment that thoroughly, kindly, and efficiently helps the patients. However, the part of dentistry that is most challenging is the financial aspect. I’ll never forget one patient from my first-day shadowing.

A sweet-as-sugar elderly lady came in with a minor complaint in one of her teeth. She kept repeating, “It feels like there’s a popcorn kernel stuck between my teeth,” and “I’m old; I’m not going to be around too much longer, so I’m not looking to spend more money than I have to.” When my dentist took X-rays, the results [were] not good.

There was a large cavity in a tooth connected to a bridge. No other teeth around it were strong enough to connect to the bridge, so she would lose the bridge and require five implants on top of 2 fillings. She was shocked as she was at the dentist around a year ago, and there were no significant issues. The problem [likely] occurred [due to a] medication she started taking [that] was causing dry mouth, and the lack of saliva led to the cavities spreading so quickly.

The dentist explained everything kindly and clearly to the patient. The patient’s eyes grew wide and worried. “How much will this cost?” she anxiously asked.

My dentist quietly replied, “Around 25 grand.”

I still remember the patient’s shocked face and how she called her elderly husband [in] from the waiting room and had the dentist explain everything again. She kept having bouts of laughter out of sheer shock, and I could hear the sadness, anger, and pain in her laugh. “It was just supposed to be a popcorn kernel.” She kept repeating, nearly crying. I felt my eyes water, and my heart hurt hearing her pain. I took a quiet breath and maintained my composure, standing [as] still as a statue at the back of the room.

When my dentist left the room, her eyes [had saddened]. As she added to the patient’s chart, her normally outgoing demeanor was subdued and continued to be until, before walking into the next treatment room, she put on the mask of a wide smile.

I have shadowed a great deal since then and have watched my dentist treat and interact with many patients, but the sweet-as-sugar elderly lady still lingers at the back of my mind as a dull discomfort, like a popcorn kernel stuck between [my] teeth.

She reminds me of many people I have connected with through volunteering at an organization helping people experiencing homelessness. Many individuals I have met are average people who have fallen on hard times and lack a support network to help [them] emotionally and financially. Once an individual [falls] too deep into the hole of poverty, it feels nearly impossible to climb out. With no house, no transportation, no supportive family, and no job, it’s tough to escape. Many individuals I have met are sugar-sweet, like the elderly lady. Being able to help some of those in need feels like giving help to those I am powerless to help at this point in my life, which motivates me to provide service to my community any way I can, including through CTMOM.

At CTMOM, I am looking forward to being a small piece in the machine of the free dental clinic, as every piece helps a machine run efficiently and effectively. I am looking forward to helping people without the burden of finances for the patient, and I’m looking forward to helping those who need it most.

I can’t wait to be there on November 9th and 10th.

— Anna Coulter