In a world of over 8 billion people living in nearly 200 countries and encompassing numerous time zones, there are bound to be differences in how people communicate with one another. My time spent traveling internationally taught me that the human smile is one of the few forms of non-verbal communication that unites ALL of humanity. Across languages, hemispheres, and oceans, the smile is universally recognized as a sign of happiness.  

As a dentist, this observation carries a lot of weight with it. What if my patient does not like the smile I worked so hard to create for them? What if my patient leaves a negative review on Google or Yelp? These are just some of the thoughts that cross a dentist’s mind, both on and off the clock. Like any other job, it is easy for us to get lost in the daily grind. 

To maintain sanity and happiness at work, it’s important to do some soul-searching and answer the question “Why do I do what I do for a living?” 

Finding Your Why 

If you asked 100 dentists “Why do you do what you do?” you are likely to get 100 different answers. Some dentists come from a lineage of dental professionals, making dentistry practically a birthright for them. Other dentists chose the profession simply due to the high earning potential and work-life balance it brings. I’m not here to debate the merits of these two examples, but I can say with confidence that the answer to my “why” is to try to inspire others.  

As a kid, I had what I now jokingly refer to as a “Michael Strahan gap” between my two front teeth. This made me both insecure and the target of a lot of jokes. Nicknames like Moses (implying that the gap between my teeth was large enough for people to walk through like the biblical Red Sea crossing) both stuck and stung when I was a young, immature kid.  

One of the greatest things that happened to me in life was getting braces in 7th grade. This resulted in a 180-degree turn in my self-confidence and sociability. Noticing these changes within myself gave me the inspiration to provide life-changing smiles to others.

It is still crazy to me that I knew that I wanted to be a dentist in 7th grade, and here I am at 33 years old, living that reality.

Volunteering with Medical Teams International provides me with a unique opportunity to inspire others. The patients that we see on mobile dental clinic vans are some of the most vulnerable people in the Puget Sound region. 

Many of our patients are recovering addicts, formerly incarcerated, unhoused, or those simply down on their luck and unable to afford dental care. Not only does volunteer dentistry improve the oral and systemic health of this population, but I am also able to make these people feel heard. 

Oral Health is Critical for Systemic Health 

Certainly, one of the more frustrating parts of the U.S. health care system is how fractured it is. For most of human history, oral health took a backseat to systemic (whole body) health. Thanks to the advances in dental implants and denture fabrication, dentists can safely, comfortably, and predictably replace damaged or missing teeth with artificial substitutes. However, everything has a cost. 

A full replacement of the patient’s dentition with implant overdentures can easily cost more than $30,000. Outside of limited cases, the full financial burden falls on the patient, with little to no reimbursement by dental insurance due to this being considered an elective procedure. 

In addition to the significant financial cost of replacing missing teeth, there are other quality-of-life issues that accompany untreated dental disease. Toothaches can make focusing on schoolwork impossible for children. Untreated dental abscesses and the associated swelling can leave someone with a disfiguring appearance. Humans rely on our teeth to eat, so patients with non-functional teeth due to dental disease will often suffer from preventable issues associated with malnutrition. Lack of confidence in one’s appearance can adversely affect that individual’s career prospects. These are just a few examples of how a person’s oral health status can impact other parts of their lives. 

The Benefits of Serving Others 

Community service opportunities allow volunteers to directly impact the lives of their neighbors and fellow citizens. Whether it’s pro bono dentistry or participating in a neighborhood cleanup event, the altruistic impact benefits everyone. 

Volunteer dentistry makes me feel good, providing me with the opportunity to take patients out of pain while improving both their health and self-confidence. At the other end, the patient benefits from receiving treatment and care that they otherwise could not afford. 

Obviously, volunteer dentistry is an opportunity only available to licensed dental professionals. For corporate or individual sponsors that want to support Medical Teams’ mission, remember that financial contributions are a critical part of the work we do. 

Our expendable materials, such as local anesthetic or filling materials are single use and can cost hundreds of dollars per patient. The mobile dental bus requires gasoline, and like any other car, the vans require regular maintenance for reliability. The only way that volunteer dentists can provide these services to our community is through your generosity.  

It is with a humble heart that I say thank you for your time reading this today, and I look forward to continuing to improve the oral health of the Puget Sound community one smile at a time. 

Charles Lewis, DMD 

Dr. Charles Lewis is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and has volunteered with Medical Teams International since 2020. He attended Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine on a military scholarship and was stationed at JBLM, a large military base located immediately south of Tacoma. After a six-year stint on active duty, Dr. Lewis joined Apple Valley Dental & Braces, a practice group with locations throughout central and eastern Washington. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, CrossFit, traveling, whiskey, and volunteering with Medical Teams.