I am working a free clinic this weekend and wanted to share some of my experience. Unfortunately, it's been a little cold and wet, yet people stood for hours to get care. We begin treatment in our clinics at 8am, but people were waiting at 1am. For hours they have stood in the cold and rain, hungry with feet hurting. As I walked down the line to offer encouragement, my heart cried. Dental pain is one of the most horrific pains (I've given birth to four kids) you could experience. I wonder why things can't be different. I've been on the road for years working for free because that is how much I believe in what I am doing. My family of six has cut costs by sharing a one bedroom so that we could 'afford' to lose my salary. Yes, things are getting better, a lot better in dentistry. Many of us believe we have a responsibility to those in our communities and are working to make sure they receive care. Yet I am still in a corner crying as I see suffering. For those that believe people with dental problems should take better care of their teeth, be careful what you judge. By grace, it's not you. For those of you in pain, know that people want to change that and are trying very hard. I was born into dental ignorance and I haven't forgotten from where I came.
