Blackfoot Woman receives free smile thanks to local dental specialists and lab techs
Source: Idaho State Journal
After a year of surgeries, implants, and eager anticipation, Alisha Gladeau now has a full smile to show off thanks to local dentists and lab technicians from the area.
Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho’s annual Second Chance Program, which offers a new set of teeth to one individual suffering from severe dental health from the Pocatello and Blackfoot area, had been building a smile for Gladeau ever since she was selected as the 2023-2024 recipient.
“It was worth it,” Gladeau said, regarding the nearly year-long process it took from getting her teeth removed, implants installed, restorative work done, and healing complete before her new set of teeth was officially declared finished.
Gladeau, a mother of four boys, suffers from lime disease which inhibits her body from producing iron and calcium. She also explained she went through an abusive relationship which resulted in chipped and lost teeth over the years. Receiving a new smile, one she doesn’t have to hide behind has been a life-changing experience.
“My boys are shocked,” she said. “They’re used to me constantly covering my mouth, or when I was talking. I really wouldn’t look people in the eye because that’s an embarrassment when people judge you.”
Gladeau is one of three individuals who have been recipients of the program and said being chosen and receiving this care has “changed my outlook on everything”.
“I’m happier, that’s for sure,” she said. “I was always a happy person, but people always thought I was crabby when I wouldn’t smile…I wasn’t the real me.”
Dr. Mark Baker and Dr. Shawn Jepson of Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho did the prep work for Gladeau’s process, with Dr. Kyle Siemen of Sage Dental and Dental Solutions lab owner Andrew Barrett and lab technician Jen Hardenbrook managing the restorative work.
“It’s exciting to be part of something where you can change people’s lives,” said Barrett. “We’ve done that on a couple of other (recipients). Their teeth are broken down for whatever reason and then they get their smile back. It gives them confidence, and it makes you feel good to be a professional that can actually really do something to help people. It’s good service and I love to see the patients happy.”
The program is entirely free to the recipient, and Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho implant coordinator Nicole Plessner explained that in the past the total cost of work amounted to about $50,000, but has since risen to anywhere from $60,000 to $70,000 due to inflation.
The amount of time and free labor that goes into the work isn’t anything to shrug off, either.
“Every different section, from the oral surgery to the dentist to the lab, everybody sacrifices and donates to create a program like this,” Barrett explained.
Applications for the 2024-2025 Second Chance program will open in late summer, said Baker, with the winner announced about a week before Thanksgiving.
“I encourage people to fill out the forms and sign up because somebody’s going to win it and it might as well be them,” said Baker. “So we’re excited to team up with Dr. Kyle Siemen and with (Dental Solutions) lab, and we’ll be able to provide another life-changing opportunity to someone.”
For those interested in applying, watch the Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho website at https://facialandoralsurgery.com/secondchance/ this summer for when applications open.
A year of hardships can’t keep a local mom from smiling
Source: KPVI
