Patient Stories
Gaylon’s Story
My dentures were really hurting me,” said Gaylon Mays. “And Wilma was in a
lot of pain . . . a lot of pain.”
“My mouth was a mess,” adds Wilma.
Gaylon and Wilma Mays knew they both needed dental work, but they didn’t have
insurance and couldn’t afford it.
“We called Meharry but they couldn’t help us,” says Wilma. “They referred
us to the Interfaith Dental Clinic.”
When Wilma and Gaylon entered the program both of their mouths needed restoring.
Gaylon had a poorly fitting denture that was causing pain when he ate, and Wilma
needed ten extractions, several fillings, two crowns and an upper denture.
“They are such a pleasure to work with, to see how supportive they are of each
other,” says Rhonda Switzer, executive director of Interfaith. “Gaylon
wants to make sure Wilma gets her work done first and is saving for a new pair
of dentures for himself. They told me that together, they can get through
anything.”
Both Gaylon and Wilma are elated with the care they received. “I go to a
lot of places for medical care. This is the only clinic that truly cares.
They are really exceptionally good. Another thing that has impressed me is
how friendly and humorous they are. That means a whole lot to me because I
like to cut up,” says Gaylon.
“They don’t rush you through here. Even though we know they are busy and
have to stick to a schedule, as a patient you would never know it,” adds Gaylon.
“I feel so much better, more physically healthy,” says Wilma. “I don’t
have pain all the time and I smile more. I just feel better with all those
teeth out of my mouth.”
Gaylon appreciates the difference he sees in his wife.
“I like the way she looks a lot and it’s great to see her not have pain every
time she eats or drinks. And, at the last, she had stopped smiling.
Now she laughs.”
When asked what he would tell people that were considering donating time or
money to the clinic, Gaylon answered, “I would really urge them to do so.
Until they have been uninsurable, they just don’t know. I would urge them
to come down here and see what they are doing here. You will be really
impressed. If it wasn’t for places like this, couples like us wouldn’t get
the care because we simply can’t afford it.”