Smiles for success: restoring functional dentition one mouth at a time

Edentulism is the outcome of a multifactorial process involving biological factors and patient-related factors. Prosthodontics serves as a solution. Tooth replacement through prosthetic devices may be prohibitive for the underserved population due to barriers such as cost and lack of transportation. A community service project was developed as a response strategy to address these concerns in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With the help of Indiana University Purdue University (IPFW) Dental Laboratory Technology students and local dental professionals, the Smiles for Success: Restoring Functional Dentition One Mouth at a Time project assisted the underserved of Fort Wayne. Success was accomplished through the repair or reline of existing dentures, as well as the creation of new partial and complete oral prosthetic appliances. Working within the existing healthcare framework of an inner city clinic and local health fair for the underserved, the project completed work on 29 dentures and restored 22 patients to functioning dentitions. While the prosthetic appliances bring about new and restored smiles, it leads to a lifetime of new opportunities and improved health.