One of the most frustrating things for any medical professional is to see people who need care but cannot get it simply because they cannot afford it. Dr. Richard Wolfert, DMD—also known as The Toothboss—recently ran into that scenario with one of his elder patients. Instead of turning her away, he found a way to get her the treatment she needs via Donated Dental Services(DDS).
Donated Dental Services is a national non-profit organization comprised of nearly 20,000 dental professionals who donate dental services for people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically at-risk. Having been part of the DDS network since 2011, Dr. Wolfert inquired as to whether his patient, 79-year-old South Weymouth resident Shirley Wilcoxen would be eligible for services.
“I don’t know who had a bigger smile when I told her, me or her,” said Wolfert, whose practice is located at 1121 Main Street in South Weymouth.
Ms. Wilcoxen would need a new denture plate, a process that would require removal of some teeth. Dr. Wolfert partnered with Dr. L. Michael Juvet, a South Weymouth oral surgeon, on the removal of the teeth and Bob Achorn of Achorn Dental Lab, also in Weymouth, for the creation of a temporary denture and later, the permanent denture.
The entire process took place over eight months. In the end, Ms. Wilcoxen got her smile back and was enjoying eating once again.
“There is a direct correlation between oral health and your overall health. That becomes even more pronounced as we age. Unresolved dental issues in older patients can have even life-threatening implications,” said Dr. Wolfert. “I’m so grateful to DDS for making these services available to Shirley so she could get what amounts to nearly $6,000 in dental work done.”
“I can’t stop smiling,” said Wilcoxen. “I can’t thank Dr. Wolfert, Dr. Juvet and Mr. Achorn enough.”
DDS is the flagship program for the Dental Lifeline Network, a national nonprofit founded in 1974, that provides access to dental care and education for people who cannot afford it and: have a permanent disability; are elderly (age 65 or older); or are medically fragile. In fact, since 1985, when DDS launched, more than 120,000 vulnerable people have received more than $250 million worth of dental services for seriously neglected dental diseases. Dr. Wolfert is the sole provider of DDS services on the South Shore.
If you or somebody you know is a vulnerable person in need of dental care, please visit DDS’s Dental Lifeline at http://www.dentallifeline.org or by calling 888.471.6334.
For more information on The Toothboss, you can visit Dr. Wolfert’s website at www.toothboss.com or call 781-335-0604 to schedule a consultation.
About The Toothboss
The Toothboss offers: comprehensive examinations (written treatment and treatment plan provided); cosmetics; crowns, bridges and tooth-colored restorations; partial and full dentures; periodontics (early cases treated); oral surgery; restoration of conventional and small diameter implants; and emergency services (24-hour emergency phone number available).
The Toothboss accepts most insurance plans. They also accept payment from most PPO and indemnity plans, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental. They also accept all major credit cards and have arranged payment plans through Springstone.
To schedule an initial consultation, please call 781-335-0604. For more information, visit www.toothboss.com.