Date
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Elgin

A Story of Circumstances: I Have 10 Cavities

During a dental hygiene training session at Winfield Elementary School in Scott County, Tennessee, a little girl sat squirming on the front row.

She fidgeted throughout the presentation, but it was clear that she was being attentive.

Several times during the session, she spoke up to the presenting dentist and assistant. Opening her mouth wide she would defiantly state, “I have ten cavities.”

After the presentation was complete, one of the dental team members got her name and found her on the list of students who in fact did need treatment but whose parents had not been reachable. She had also reportedly been visiting the school nurse on a weekly basis complaining of a toothache.

After several attempts to contact her parents, the little girl’s mother was finally reached. She informed the dental team that the little girl actually had TennCare health coverage, but that without access to transportation, she had been unable to take her daughter to get proper treatment.

With a few simple phone calls, the Elgin partner Appalachian Life Quality Initiative was able to arrange the girl’s transportation to and from dental care.

She has now been treated and flashes the biggest smile anytime she’s given the chance.

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