"When I laugh, it's a big laugh"

Thomas Shuron, who has spent all 70 years of his life in Baltimore, never went to a dentist until last September.
Without insurance or a stable place to live, dental care just wasn’t an option for Thomas. And he was terrified of the pain.

Over the years, lack of dental care took it’s toll on Thomas’ mouth and the way he lived his life. Because of cavities and gum disease, Thomas lost most of his teeth and was in constant pain. He couldn’t eat his favorite foods and held back smiles and laughter.

Then, one day, his brother told him about the pain-free, payment-free experience he had at the Health Care for the Homeless dental clinic at Our Daily Bread. So Thomas decided to give it a try. He was literally shaking before his first appointment. But when Thomas arrived, he was greeted by a passionate and supportive team, including Dr. Koby Sarubin, DDS and dental assistant Judy Sparkman. “They took their time to make sure everything fit right,” Thomas says about getting dentures. “They supported me through the whole process and made me feel so comfortable.”

Dr. Sarubin is thankful to donors like you who make dental care available to so many Baltimoreans. “Here, people can walk in off the street and have a tooth that’s been killing them for months removed. They finally get relief and joy.”

This fall marks one year since Thomas decided to pay us a visit. The man who used to be afraid of the dentist now keeps all his appointments and cares about his health. For the first time in years, Thomas is pain-free, confident and eager to start job searching. Thomas says, “Now, when I want to smile, I smile. When I laugh, it’s a big laugh. I don’t hold back like I used to. And now I can eat my favorite food—a whole bag of cashews!”

You can give the gift of dental during #GivingTOOTHday on December 3.

Find out how