Domestic Abuse; New Smiles
By: Jackie Monroe
Updated: October 29, 2007
"When it happened, I was devastated. Um, theres no words that can express what i experienced. Um, it took my confidence away. I had no self-esteem."
Those are the words of a woman destroyed by domestic violence. 17 years ago Valerie Vogt was in a bad marriage and became a victim of domestic violence. Her husband knocked her teeth out and took more than just her smile away.
Dr. Parker said, "It was not easy to talk to her. Uh, she had no confidence in herself. Um, her self-esteem was, was pretty low, and, and she felt badly about herself."
After years of wearing uncomfortable dentures, Valerie came to see Dr. David parker to get a replacement, but she didnt know that he is a volunteer with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistrys "Give Back a Smile" program. It helps victims of domestic violence.
He arranged to give her a smile makeover for free.
Valerie said, "I was in shock. I never, never thought that id ever see a day like that come."
Dr. Parker added, "Everybody needs a good smile, but when you add domestic violence on top of it, um, it, it really is our, almost our obligation and our duty to, uh, give people back the confidence and self-esteem that they need to carry on a normal life."
Giving Valerie a new smile has been no small feat. Dr. Parker contacted five specialists to restore Valeries smile.
He said, "Valeries, uh, reconstruction, if you consider all of the implants, which will be 12 implants, the full upper and lower reconstruction, sinus lifts, um, all the things involved, the endodontics that she had, she had 3 root canals done, would be about $75,000"
Valeries smile is about half way finished, but Dr. Parker and his staff have noticed a huge change in Valerie already.
Shes coming out of her shell and her dazzling smile will soon follow suit.
"Just to feel like theres part of me back thats been missing for a long, long time, and uh, just to feel that part of me back is, is going to be a miracle."
For more information or to apply for the program yourself, go to http://www.aacd.com/foundation.
