Changing lives one smile at a time
In March 2021, we marked the 5th birthday of the DCM Dental Service.
Oral health care is one of the most significant unmet needs of the people who DCM works with. Poor oral health has been linked to gingivitis, periodontal disease, oral infection, heart disease and strokes – dental and medical problems that can severely impact a person’s general wellbeing and quality of life. In some cases the physical discomfort also translates into social discomfort, not wanting to smile, socialise, speak or eat because of the appearance or odour of their teeth.
This is why in March 2016, in partnership with the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Dental Association, DCM began operating a fully equipped dental treatment room, staffed by dental professionals. This emergency dental service offers relief from pain to the most marginalised people in our community. While the dentists volunteer their time, the dental assistants may be paid or choose to volunteer.
DCM whānau have so much to contend with in their lives. The emergency dental work they are able to receive at DCM is truly a lifeline, and in some cases a life-saver. Here we share the story of one very special week at the DCM Dental Service.
Rāhina / Monday
The first session of the week was taken by dentist John and dental assistant Emily.
Two of the whānau seen on Monday have complex lives, and neither of them have been able to be treated for the high levels of dental pain they were experiencing anywhere else.
M had had his jaw broken, with the resulting metal plate adjacent to problem teeth causing him great pain. He had been referred to the hospital, but was not able to go there due to anxiety and addictions. The team at DCM worked to come up with a solution. We arranged for him to come back to DCM the next time that John took a dental session here. John spent an hour and a half with M, talking him through the treatment and successfully extracting the tooth. M also received fillings for other teeth. He left proudly showing off the extracted tooth, and with antibiotics and a plan for his recovery from John. Later in the day he was happily chatting and in a good space.
H had a bad abscess and was in a lot of pain. He struggles with his addictions, and was very proud that he had managed to stay drug-free that day so that he could see the dentist. John was able to numb the area and treat the abscess in one appointment. H was very proud that he had managed to settle and receive the treatment, and that he was able to leave pain-free and not needing further work.
Rātū / Tuesday
On Tuesday, for the first time, one of our dentists, Sophie, headed out with our team to see whānau in their new communities and housing complexes.
D is someone DCM has supported over many years. He recently saw Sophie at DCM; she discovered he had a bad infection that needed urgent treatment. She was able to sort out his issue, and today she checked on his progress in his own community. Sophie was able to spend time with D and explain how a referral for dentures could work to better improve his oral health.
N has recently been housed in the Berhampore area. He hasn’t seen a dentist in a long time and appreciated the chance to see Sophie at Berhampore Centennial Community Centre. Utilising a little side room, sterilised instruments, a dental and periodontal chart and torch, Sophie assessed N’s sore teeth and gums and could feel where any potential holes were located. N looks forward to a follow-up appointment at DCM.
Rāapa / Wednesday
David took the very first session at the DCM Dental Service in March 2016. He has taken regular sessions through all of the five years, and was back to take a session on the Wednesday of our birthday week, with dental assistant Hazel. We definitely kept him busy, even fitting in a few walk-in appointments for whānau in pain, between the booked appointments.
Although DCM has supported T over many years, he had never seen a dentist at DCM. It has been a difficult week for T - not only has he been experiencing pain but he has had issues with his housing, and had been at a tangi the day before. David was able to extract two teeth, which made a big difference to T.
Rāpare / Thursday
Day four of our DCM Dental Service birthday week was led out by dentist Sunjna and dental assistant Issie. Once again, a line-up of people in pain and with nowhere else to go for treatment kept these two great women busy. S is an older Māori man who is staying in emergency accommodation. He recently had a toothache that got so bad he took the tooth out himself! Still sore and with a number of other issues he saw Sunjna, who treated some infected roots as well as completing another much-needed extraction. S was so happy to have all his dental issues treated in one appointment.
"I love the atmosphere at DCM," reflected Issie at the end of the day. "The energy, the singing, the whānau... The highlight today, as always, was being able to offer people relief from pain. The challenge? Today again reinforced for me how difficult it is for whānau here to access support elsewhere. They may be referred to the hospital or other supports, but because of their anxiety, addictions, a whole range of barriers, they cannot get there and continue to live in pain. It's great to be part of the team in this place, where whānau do feel safe and are able to come and receive our support - and to leave pain-free."
Rāmere / Friday
The final session of DCM’s busy dental birthday week was taken by dentist Laura with dental assistant Jodie.
A is a refugee from Africa; for some years he has cycled between backpackers, motels and periods in temporary housing. A experiences a lot of dental pain. Last month, he saw a dentist at DCM for emergency treatment of his most urgent pain and issues, including a much needed extraction. He returned for another appointment this week, expecting further extractions. Laura was able to restore two of his front teeth, which he had assumed would need to come out. A was absolutely delighted to be able to retain his smile; he left praising the “angel” dentist who had made such a difference to him.
Seasonal Kai
We ended our very special week of celebrating the 5th birthday of the DCM Dental Service with seasonal kai.
We all came together to share kai and to acknowledge one another and the taonga which this dental service has been for our whānau. How appropriate that the community of dentist Morris Wong, the Wellington Anglican Chinese Mission, should provide kai, along with EKTA, Good Bitches Baking and some Pasifika delicacies lovingly prepared by the family of our kaimahi, Nani.
A smorgasbord of delicious food from different cultures, enjoyed together in the sunshine at DCM.
More dental assistants and dentists are urgently needed to enable the service to support people in pain who are waiting for an appointment. If you are or know a dentist or dental assistant who would like to learn more about working at the DCM Dental Clinic, please email us at dentalservice@dcm.org.nz