Keeping teeth intact

John Everton’s teeth were so decayed he could barely chew. So, he lived mostly on yogurt and cottage cheese – until his daughter told him about the Dental Clinic at the Northern Neck – Middlesex Free Health Clinic.

“I neglected my mouth for years,” said Everton, 71, who lives on his sailboat in Deltaville.

When he first visited the Clinic, he anticipated that all his teeth would be “yanked.” But instead, the Virginia Commonwealth University students who help staff the Dental Clinic filled his cavities, addressed the decay, and provided restorative dental work over a few months.

“It’s really nice they could save my teeth,” Everton said. “Now, I don’t even need dentures. I am really pleased with the competence of the students who treated me. And, now, my diet is so much better because I can chew.”

 

The NNMFHC Dental Clinic provides about $1 million annually in low cost dental care, including a denture program operated by the staff dentist.  

“I could not be more pleased,” said Everton, who has lived on his sailboats for most of his adult life. He and his wife raised their two children onboard, sailing throughout the eastern and southern Caribbean and up the east coast to Nova Scotia.

 “I had no idea I could regain my ability to chew and enjoy food,” he said. “The Clinic really helped me. I am so grateful.”