Page 7 - WesternU View - Spring 2015
P. 7
FEATURE
Smiles for
Success
T through the Smiles for Success (SFS) program, which
Tanya Brown, 55, is friendly, loquacious, and more
was started by members of the American Association
than willing to talk about her past and what she hopes
of Women Dentists (AAWD). SFS provides free dental
is a bright future.
Brown was paroled in 2013 after serving 25 years in
care.
prison. She turned to Claremont-based Crossroads to work to women who cannot afford the cost of dental
help her transition back into society. Crossroads works Brown recently visited WesternU’s Dental Center for
exclusively with women who have been incarcerated. tooth extractions.
At no cost to the resident, its six-month residential
program provides a supportive, structured “The people here are so kind and caring,” Brown said.
environment for women transitioning back into the “They’re very personal. It’s not like when you go to
community. some dentists. They make you feel really at home and
really comfortable.”
Crossroads helped her open a bank account, obtain
identification, and become an active volunteer in the Prior to coming to the Dental Center, Brown said she
community. It provided her clothing, meals and a “hated the dentist. Where I was, they always wanted
home. to pull your teeth. They don’t want to try to save
anything. I had to be in so much pain there was no
“Coming from incarceration is a big adjustment, and other recourse but to go to the dentist.”
the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re
going to eat and how you’re going to get clothes,” She glued one tooth back in place herself because she
Brown said. “They provided all of that. Crossroads was didn’t want to go to the dentist. She last went to the
a life raft for me.” prison dentist two years before she was released. The
Smiles for Success program will help her as she
Western University of Health Sciences is providing free completes her education and looks for work.
dental care to some of the women of Crossroads Continued on page 6
WesternU View Spring 2015 5
Smiles for
Success
T through the Smiles for Success (SFS) program, which
Tanya Brown, 55, is friendly, loquacious, and more
was started by members of the American Association
than willing to talk about her past and what she hopes
of Women Dentists (AAWD). SFS provides free dental
is a bright future.
Brown was paroled in 2013 after serving 25 years in
care.
prison. She turned to Claremont-based Crossroads to work to women who cannot afford the cost of dental
help her transition back into society. Crossroads works Brown recently visited WesternU’s Dental Center for
exclusively with women who have been incarcerated. tooth extractions.
At no cost to the resident, its six-month residential
program provides a supportive, structured “The people here are so kind and caring,” Brown said.
environment for women transitioning back into the “They’re very personal. It’s not like when you go to
community. some dentists. They make you feel really at home and
really comfortable.”
Crossroads helped her open a bank account, obtain
identification, and become an active volunteer in the Prior to coming to the Dental Center, Brown said she
community. It provided her clothing, meals and a “hated the dentist. Where I was, they always wanted
home. to pull your teeth. They don’t want to try to save
anything. I had to be in so much pain there was no
“Coming from incarceration is a big adjustment, and other recourse but to go to the dentist.”
the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re
going to eat and how you’re going to get clothes,” She glued one tooth back in place herself because she
Brown said. “They provided all of that. Crossroads was didn’t want to go to the dentist. She last went to the
a life raft for me.” prison dentist two years before she was released. The
Smiles for Success program will help her as she
Western University of Health Sciences is providing free completes her education and looks for work.
dental care to some of the women of Crossroads Continued on page 6
WesternU View Spring 2015 5
