Read Their Story

Between attending events for her five children and trying to further her career, Catalina is very busy. She works hard every day as a home care aid and still finds time to spend with her family, but cheering and smiling at her children’s band concerts and football games is hard sometimes. Most of her teeth are broken or missing, and she feels that people have preconceived notions about her because of the way her teeth look.

Even though she doesn’t always feel confident in her smile, she still supports her children and puts herself out there every day, and we think she deserves to have a smile that she is truly proud of. Unfortunately, she can’t afford the extensive procedures she needs to restore her oral health.

Catalina’s oral health started to deteriorate when she was a teenager. She had dental care through her foster parents, but her braces were never taken off properly, which created a lot of plaque buildup and damage. Just a couple of years later, Catalina got pregnant with her first child, and the health of her baby became her top priority. Pregnancy can increase risks of periodontal disease, and from there, her oral health began to deteriorate more rapidly. Today, over 10 years and five children later, Catalina has no molars and many broken and missing teeth.

After years of working and ignoring her oral health, Catalina is ready for a change. She misses her smile, and she wants to take care of her teeth and feel proud of the way she looks. A new set of teeth could open up new opportunities for her career. Catalina wants to work with people by being a business owner, and a new smile would help her achieve that goal. To help Catalina improve her oral health, donate today.