Smiles in time for Christmas

Dentist Lincoln Harris shares a smile with patient Caroline Michell.

RON BURGIN

SMILING was something Gin Gin mother Caroline Michell avoided less than two months ago, but now it is tough to keep the grin from forming on her face.

Miss Michell had been waiting for five years to have her teeth fixed at the Bundaberg Hospital Dental Clinic.

Her teeth were so bad she could not consume solid food and was told she would have to wait another two years for treatment.

Staff at Harris Dental Boutique in Bargara heard of Miss Michell’s plight and offered a hand providing free dental treatment.

“Even just to go out into public is easier because people aren’t looking at my bad teeth,” Miss Michell said.

Miss Michell said her dental work would take about another six months to be completed and she has had temporary dentures since the end of November, but still not been able to eat solid food.

“Hopefully by Christmas I’ll be able to eat the good Christmas food which I haven’t been able to for a few years,” she said.

Miss Michell said she could not believe the support she had been given.

“I would like to thank Lincoln Harris for generously donating his time and services and care for filling my dream of being able to smile with confidence again,” she said.

Harris Dental Boutique owner Lincoln Harris said he offered to work on Miss Michell’s teeth after she spoke out about her long wait for treatment.

“Hopefully we can give her her smile back,” he said.

The good fortune did not stop there with Harris Dental Boutique staff donating their time and services for patients with a health care card yesterday.

Dr Harris said he and his staff provided just under $10,000 of free treatment for 19 people.

“We’ve done all sorts of things — gum treatments, fillings and one lady who just wanted a check-up and scaling,” he said.

Dr Harris said they offered the day to ease the pressure off the Bundaberg Hospital dental clinic, but realised one day was not enough, but meant a lot of the patients.

Dr Harris said the boutique was considering offering more days of free treatment.

“We just wanted to get used to the day and then we will see how often and if we can repeat it,” he said.