Patient Stories
The Cockrell’s Story
In 2003, Ed had decaying teeth that were causing him a lot of pain. His dentist pulled two teeth and then
suggested he call the Interfaith Dental Clinic for help with the rest of his teeth.
“The dentist said the rest of the work would be really expensive,” says his wife Kelly.
Ed works at MGM Industries but doesn’t have any dental insurance. He and Kelly are starting a family so income is tight.
“When Ed first came in, he had many severely decayed teeth and was missing two teeth in the front,” says Dr. Susan Scanga, an Interfaith dentist. “His
treatment would have cost $6,000 in private practice, but with Interfaith’s
sliding fee scale, Ed will only have to pay $1360. Ed is already thrilled with his temporary bridge and can’t wait to get the permanent one.”
Ed had been coming to the Interfaith for about a year when his wife had a dental emergency.
“I had to have a tooth pulled. I was so scared when I first came because I didn’t want to have the shot,” says Kelly. “But my dentist was great.
I am not scared at all now. . . I am ready to learn more about my teeth and how to take care of them.”
“Kelly was scared to death,” says Dr. Rhonda Switzer. “But we got her calmed down and now she is really ready to make life-long changes that will not only
affect her oral health but also her daughter’s.”
Both Ed and Kelly are so motivated to learn how to brush and floss. There has been such a big behavior change,” adds Scanga.
“We both want to really learn how to take care of our teeth, so our daughter doesn’t have the same kind of problems we do,” Kelly emphasizes.