CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Just like eyes are windows to the soul, a smile is the key to a good first impression.
But when you've got an ache or decaying tooth it can be hard to grin and bear it.
Since 2009, the Timon’s Ministries began helping low income and homeless people clean up their dental hygiene for free.
“If we pull your teeth if we do it, we replace those teeth and you will get a full set of dentures, or a partial or whatever it takes to help you have a healthy mouth, a smile, and a feeling of well-being,” said Kae Berry, director of Timon’s Ministries.
Free is always a good thing. But, in order to make this work, the Timon’s Ministries needs dentists and dental assistants to volunteer their time and skills.
There were a lot of dentists that helped us but they're aging out, they're the more senior dentist,” said Berry. “Some of them have retired others have gone to do other things.”
Berry says the nonprofit requires certified dentist to help them continue to provide this free service.
She even encourages dental students who need the practice hours to volunteer.
“Several of the dental assistants that came from the technical schools would come here and work with different dentist, they were able to land jobs just because they had this hands-on work experience,” said Berry.
She says dentists will primarily be performing extractions, simply because of the shape people's teeth are in by the time they do get into the dentist’s chair.
“There's a lot of people here that don't have the teeth they need, they can't eat meat they can’t bite into something they want to bite into,” said Gabriel Castillo. “These people help you out to get the teeth that you need.”
If you would like to volunteer to help you can contact Kae Berry at timonsministries@sbcglobal.net or 361-937-6196.
Timon's Ministries is also having their 6th Annual Enchanted Forest Christmas Tree Auction on Decemer 5, 2019. For more info visit : http://www.timonsministries.com/home.html