For years, Ms. Gwen prayed for something many of us might take for granted — a full smile. While she had a partial smile with her top teeth, she couldn’t complete it with bottom teeth because dentures were far too expensive. “You know how long I’ve been trying to get some teeth in my mouth? Oh my God,” she said. “I don’t have $3,000 or $4,000 just laying around. Who has that kind of money?”
One Sunday in church, Ms. Gwen noticed a flyer. It mentioned free dentures through Community of Hope for senior citizens. “Free dentures!? You know what — I’m going to give them a call,” she remembered thinking.
That call set her on a new path. She made an appointment and began her dental visits, returning month after month for the care she had waited so long to receive. Each time, Dr. Rogers made her feel comfortable, taking the time to explain the procedures, how long the process would take, and how to care for her new dentures. Even the smallest details stood out: the receptionist’s kindness, the calm atmosphere, and the compassion that made all the difference.
When the day finally came, Ms. Gwen received her dentures and a confidence she hadn’t felt in years. “I’ve been smiling more,” she said. “At church, I showed my co-pastor and said, ‘Look — free!’ I was teasing so much, they probably wanted me to shut up,” she laughed. “But I couldn’t help it. I was just so happy.”
Now, Ms. Gwen tells everyone she can about Community of Hope — her Sunday school teacher, members of her prayer line, even strangers who ask. She knows what a gift it is for seniors like her to finally receive the care they need without the crushing financial burden.
“From day one, they were kind. From the front desk to the dentist’s chair, everyone treated me with respect. It meant more than they probably realized,” she said.
With her new smile, Ms. Gwen greets each day with joy and gratitude. “I’ve been happy ever since,” she said. “This was nothing but God. And I’ll tell anybody who asks — Community of Hope gave me a reason to smile again.”
