Lizbeth, 5 years old
Sacramento County 

Lizbeth Vera’s first visit to the dentist did not go smoothly. The 5-year-old saw strange metal instruments lined up on the tray, and fear took over. “When the dentist tried to insert a tool in her mouth, she bit his finger,” said her mother, Erica. “The dentist said that he could not treat her cavities because Lizbeth was being uncooperative.” Even though the Healthy Kids program covered Erica Vera’s daughter, she was unable to find another dentist who would accept her insurance. Traveling to a dental appointment was also a problem. Erica and her family live in Sacramento, but her husband drives their one family car to work in San Francisco.

In 2008, the Healthy Kids program lost funding, and Erica enrolled her daughter in a plan through Kaiser Permanente. However, Erica was unable to find a dentist who accepted the insurance. That same year, the Smile Keepers mobile van began visiting her daughter’s school. Funded by First 5 Sacramento, Smile Keepers provides dental exams and flouride varnishes. The atmosphere was much more kid-friendly, and Lizbeth finally had an exam and cleaning. Due to serious decay in one of her molars, the hygienist referred Lizbeth to Smiles for Kids.

Smiles for Kids is a project of the Sacramento Dental District Foundation. Throughout the year, children receive dental screenings, and serious cases are referred to the program for free treatment once a year. Lizbeth was on the waiting list for a year before seeing a participating volunteer dentist. During that time, Lizbeth’s appetite had diminished greatly, and her energy and mood were low. “I felt helpless,” said her mother. “I had her gargle with salt water, hoping it would stop the pain.”

When Lizbeth was finally seen on Smiles for Kids day, one of her molars was pulled due to extensive decay. Lizbeth, now 13, has continued to be “adopted” by dentists in the volunteer program. While Erica appreciates the volunteer dentists, it is not a permanent solution. Lizbeth still does not have a regular dental provider, and Erica never knows if, and when, she will be able to get Lizbeth an appointment. The office visits are often spread all over Sacramento.

“It’s about 40-45 minutes away,” said Erica. “I pay someone to take us, but when they can’t, my husband has to take time off work.”