The Oakland Press News Article

Troubled student now has a reason to smile

Web-posted Jun 12, 2006

By SVEN GUSTAFSON
Of The Oakland Press

ORION TWP. - Scripps Middle School eighth-grader Sarah has a wide, infectious smile. It's something her classmates and teachers are seeing a lot more of these days. That's because Sarah, whose real name is being withheld by request of Scripps officials, has a virtually new set of teeth. The 14-year-old, who is homeless, was the recipient of charitable work by a local dentist that was worth an estimated $15,000.

The origins of this story trace back to late last year, when the school, as it does each year, began looking to adopt a family for the holidays. Last year, teachers and staff chose Sarah, and teachers and staff collected more than $1,500 in her behalf.

"I asked her what was the one thing she wanted," said Shea Miller, Sarah's language arts, math and homeroom teacher at Scripps. "I was thinking Best Buy would donate something. I was thinking an MP3 player or something. She said ŒHonestly, all I want is to get my teeth cleaned.' "

Various staff members suggested Dr. Keith Allain, a dentist who said he frequently performs pro-bono work for clients with extenuating circumstances. After an initial consultation and X-rays, his staff determined Sarah needed extensive work.

"She had all kinds of dental decay and it was worst on her upper front four teeth," said Allain, whose practice is near the school. "Her upper front four teeth were totally decayed. ... The girl never smiled."

Over the course of the past few weeks, Allain performed root canal surgery, installed fillings and did numerous post and crown buildups to rebuild teeth where the decay had exposed nerve chambers. All Sarah's teeth were saved, he said.

A noticeable change

Miller said that before the surgeries, Sarah "just kind of kept to herself. She was quiet. She always covered her mouth."

"I just didn't have a lot of confidence in smiling or laughing or talking to anyone," Sarah said.

"I didn't think it was going to happen to my teeth."

Sarah's teachers helped ferry her to and from her dental appointments, covering for her classes and shifting her schedule, Miller said.

Her teachers have noticed a change.

"Her confidence has just skyrocketed," Miller said. "She has made new friends. She doesn't cover her mouth anymore. She smiles all the time."

Sarah always has been smart and articulate, and Miller said she comes to class each day with her homework completed.

Sarah, who wore a gray Lake Orion Dragons hooded sweat shirt, said she likes to draw, and her favorite classes are history and science.

Sarah has two younger sisters and an older brother. All are enrolled in Lake Orion schools, she said. She spent a year attending school in Detroit but has otherwise studied in Lake Orion "because they had better schools than where I was going," she said.

She grows quiet quickly when asked about her personal life - where she's staying (with family members), where they live (it's a long way from Lake Orion, she says) and how she gets to school (buses are involved). She flashes a broad smile that spreads across her cheekbones. There is no longer any indication of poor dental hygiene, but she still resorts to covering her mouth out of habit when discussing her life. She speaks softly.

Sarah will finish the eighth grade next week and plans to attend Lake Orion High School next year. This summer, she said, she plans mostly to visit with friends.

"I just wanna go to Wayne State," she said. "Become an obstetrician because I like babies."

An awkward adolescence

Several of Sarah's classmates have asked about her teeth.

"They're like, ŒHow did they do that?' They're like, 'You look different. You look great,' " Sarah said. She quickly resorts to covering her mouth. She nods her head when asked whether she feels uncomfortable discussing her teeth.

Asked what she tells classmates who ask about her family life and background, Sarah replies, "I just tell 'em."

Sarah said she has one friend in particular with whom she spends time and who invites her over to hang out.

But she said she sees differences between herself and other students: "They have more confi dence, I think."

Miller said most students behave well toward Sarah.

"It's obviously very apparent she got her teeth fixed, but everyone is pretty respectful. ... I don't know what they know," she said.

Allain said because his practice is successful, he can afford to help people like Sarah who cannot pay for their services.

He said he received donations of porcelain crowns from a Novi dental lab. Sarah's teeth were the worst he had seen in a 14-year-old.

"It was very unsightly, and I felt bad for her. I really did," Allain said.

Sarah has a simple message for those who have helped her:

"Thank you for everything. 'Cuz I didn't think anyone would do it."

Check out our
new Blog!

New Press Articles!