The American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry Diplomates paying it forward

CHICAGO - March 23, 2018 - PRLog -- The following article written by Samantha Swindler with The Oregonian/Oregon Live tells the story of a domestic violence victim and how Dr. James A. Miller, a Diplomate of the ABOI/ID, was able to help change her life.

"At one point, Connie Lorenzo's teeth had rotted so badly, she began packing her cavities with wood putty.

"I was a corporate secretary, and I remember living on Jell-O water because I would get sick every day because I had abscessed teeth," she said. "That was in the 1980s. I didn't even have medical (insurance), let alone dental."

Lorenzo, 53, said she's had trouble with her teeth her whole life.

She was one of 12 siblings growing up in Portland, and dental care wasn't a priority. As a kid, she had several molars pulled rather than repaired. In her 20s, an abusive ex punched her in the mouth, she said, knocking out several front teeth.

Lorenzo has worn dentures ever since – until this month, when she received free dental implants, valued at more than $40,000, through the Second Chance program at Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.

"We understand that it's an expensive process, so we wanted to figure out a way to give back to the community that potentially may not have this opportunity," said Dr. Brandon Rehrer, who performed the surgery.

More than 500 Second Chance applicants from the metro area submitted essays explaining their need for dental implants they couldn't afford. Thirty finalists were brought in for X-rays and in-person interviews, and to give permission for Beacon to review their finances. A group of employees chose the final winner."

To read the full article, please visit http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2018/03/domestic_violence_survivor_sin.html#incart_river_index.