Helping create new smiles

The Whitefish Soroptimist group is on a mission to make sure a few local women can smile with pride.

The Soroptimists created the Smile of Hope program to help women who can’t afford dental care. Not only do the women receive improved health, but the end result is often a new confidence.

Michelle Calabretta knows first hand what the program can do.

She was riding her bike on the Fourth of July about three years ago when she was hit by a car and fell from her bike. The driver kept going and she was left with extensive injuries to her face and smashed front teeth.

For a time, she kept her teeth in place with Super Glue and eventually convinced a dentist to help with a temporary solution. She was not only in pain, but also had difficulty hiding her teeth while working as a waitress.

Calabretta was directed to the Smile of Hope program, which partners with Flathead Valley dentists to provide care for low-income working women who are the heads of their households.

“I don’t know what I would have done without Soroptimists,” Calabretta said. “I’m a single mom and there was no way I could figure out how to pay for the work myself.”

Several surgeries and extensive work by Alpenglow Dental in Whitefish, has given her smile back.

“It’s so nice to be able to smile again,” she said. “It was life changing. It gave me confidence in a time of desperation.”

A number of Flathead Valley dentists currently work with the Smile of Hope program. In Whitefish, they are Dale Bax, Robert Larson, Laura Raddatz, Pam Lilly and Meagan Frank. In Columbia Falls, they are Neal Buffington and Tere Nelson. In Kalispell, they are Michael Bowman, Ron Davis and Erin Mosley.

“The Soroptimists appreciate partnering with these dentists,” said Joanie Sorensen, coordinator for the dental program.

Soroptimist International is a worldwide women’s organization that works to advance the status of women.

Sorensen was inspired to create the dental program a few years ago and says that dental care often gets pushed back for women who are working to just feed and clothe their family. Many women have ongoing dental abscesses, periodontal disease and similar that can cause infections and other health problems.

“It not only effects looks and self confidence, but a person can’t be healthy with rotten teeth,” she said.

Dale Bax of Alpenglow Dental worked on Calabretta and says he’s glad to work with the Soroptimist program.

“The Soroptimists have a very long-term experience as a service organization,” he said. “They do a lot to help people.”

Bax said many valley dentists donate time for dental care, but the Smile of Hope program is particularly great.

“They help with sharing some of the expenses and we can give our time,” he said. “It provides significant assistance to struggling women who are trying to better themselves.”

In Calabretta’s case, some of the work required special work. Bax brought Todd Cahoon in to assist with the case.

“Specialists often provide a service we couldn’t,” Bax said. “The dentists in the valley really respond when asked.”

Now in its fifth year, the Smile of Hope program continues to take applications for working women who don’t have access to dental care. The program provides grants of up to $2,000 for those that qualify.

Sorensen said many of the women who receive grants have similar stories. They all are working women who have been unable to afford dental care, which can serve as a hindrance in the work place.

“We want to give them oral health and put them on a road that will help and support them,” she said.

To be eligible, a woman must: Be the primary income earner for her family and have a financial need, be employed and seeking promotion, have a need for dental care, have a proven financial need and be a non-smoker. In addition to completing an application form, women are asked for a 200 word personal statement and references.

More recently, Smile of Hope has begun providing electronic toothbrushes for women who receive grants and ensuring that they have a sixth-month follow-up with their dentist.

“This is a start to a life-long commitment to take care of their teeth,” Sorensen said.

Applications forms are available at the Soroptimist Thrift Haus, 303 First St. in Whitefish, Shepherd’s Hand Clinic and participating dental clinics.