Impact Story: Jacquie's Journey

January 04, 2022

Impact Story: Jacquie's Journey

By JF&CS Marketing

When Jacquie began noticing an abscess in the right side of her mouth, and found herself without dental insurance, her sister Bernice recommended the Ben Massell Dental Clinic. Bernice had experienced the clinic herself as a patient in the early 1980s. She had such a positive experience, she wanted to recommend it to her sister.

From the moment she stepped in the door, Jacquie said that everything about her experience at Ben Massell Dental Clinic was different than what she had encountered at other medical facilities.

“I’m no stranger to doctors and doctor’s offices,” Jacquie said humorously. “And every single person in that office had a smile and a genuine spirit about them. It’s impossible to overlook so much genuine love and care all in one spot like that.”

Jacquie walked into the clinic with some serious dental issues that needed to be addressed; in addition to the abscess in the right side of her mouth, she had a cracked tooth that enabled plaque and bacteria to get into her gums. She also had been experiencing bleeding gums. This would cause anxiety in anybody, but Jacquie said that every member of the Ben Massell Dental Clinic immediately put her at ease and made her feel comfortable.

Her first experience in BMDC was for x-rays with a staff member named Joy. “Her name was so fitting, because she just had the biggest smile and the kindest demeanor,” Jacquie said. From there, she saw a volunteer dentist who gently asked if she could take a look at Jacquie's mouth, and told her that she still had a beautiful smile.

“They outlined a treatment plan for me,” Jacquie explained. “On January 12, I will be going in for an extraction, a cleaning, and a test for gum disease. I may also be getting a root canal.”

The Ben Massell Dental Clinic uses state-of-the-art machinery and equipment. Caring and experienced dentists from across Atlanta, volunteer their time monthly to share their expertise at the Clinic. In addition, the Ben Massell Staff and dental students ensure that every patient gets the best possible treatment and care.

After her experience, Jacquie went on to say that she had “tears in her eyes” when experiencing the care and kindness of the staff at the Ben Massell Dental Clinic: “It makes a difference. It doesn’t cost anything to smile and have a great attitude. Before I went, I asked G-d to show me his people, and that I needed them. And he showed me his people that day.”

Her sister echoed that sentiment, saying: “I was here 40 years ago, and everything Jacquie explained is exactly what I experienced. In 40 years, they have stayed consistent in their kindness. That means everything.”

“People who donate to the Ben Massell Dental Clinic will be donating to a place that is changing people’s lives, and showing people the spirit of G-d,” Jacquie said. “It isn’t just one or two people making a difference there. It’s everyone.”

For more than 100 years, the Ben Massell Dental Clinic has served as the only resource for comprehensive, quality dental work available at no cost to people who can’t afford it. Every day, we provide service to people like Jacquie and her sister, changing the world by creating beautiful smiles.

How can you help? We are always looking for volunteer dentists and dental hygienists. By volunteering for half a day, once a month, you can make a difference in the lives of people like Jacquie. Don’t have a background in dentistry? No problem! The Ben Massell Dental Clinic thrives on donations from the community.

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