Karen Crook
More than a beautiful smile
Read on to see how the Blessing Foundation helps patients get dental care that’s vital to their overall health
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Many of us take dental care for granted. But for those in financial need, a visit to the dentist’s office is often out of reach.
The Blessing Foundation helps patients in need pay for dentistry, often alleviating intense pain and preventing serious medical conditions.
When Karen Crook was diagnosed with multiple myeloma earlier this year, she had to get clearance from a dentist before she could start her cancer-fighting medications. It’s a common requirement to identify and eliminate any potential sources of infection.
A dental exam revealed that Karen had two teeth causing nerve damage and another tooth causing pain. All three had to be pulled. But Karen, who has endured multiple health issues and financial strain, couldn’t afford the cost of the extraction.
Poor oral health can lead to serious medical issues
“We see a lot of patients who neglect dental care,” said Sarah Roman, a social services caseworker for Outpatient Care Coordination at Blessing Health System. “Either insurance won’t cover it or it’s too costly. We see a lot with our cancer patients and the dental piece becomes the last priority.”
Neglecting dental care can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and other serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, and dementia. In cases like Karen’s, it can delay life-saving cardiovascular or cancer treatment.
“We get a lot of cancer patients who need to have dental clearance to start a new medication for their cancer treatment,” Roman said. “We see a lot of tooth pain, abscesses, and a lot of neglect. And with dental issues like that, it is intense pain.”
Blessing’s care coordinators work within the community to help patients get the dental care they so desperately need. Blessing often partners with local dentists and the SIU Adams County Dental Clinic. When all community resources have been exhausted and patients can’t afford care, the Blessing Foundation is contacted for help.
“Resources get limited, especially during the pandemic,” Roman said. “We’re blessed that people give to the Blessing Foundation and we’re able to tap into those resources. There are many things we couldn’t do without having the Foundation in place. We’d have so many people going without much-needed assistance”
Blessing Foundation grants give patients ‘a glimmer of hope’
When patients get assistance from the Blessing Foundation for their dental care, it not only improves their health, but also their mindset.
“If we can take a little bit off of their plate and help them, that takes some of the stress away,” Roman said. “It’s amazing what happens when you can alleviate that just a little bit. It gives them a glimmer of hope, like ‘Ok, I can handle this.’”
Blessing Foundation donors have the power to give that glimmer of hope.
“Without the help from Blessing Foundation donors, we just couldn’t do it,” Roman said. “We couldn’t get them the treatment that would give them a better quality of life. We’re very fortunate that we have such a giving community.”
What is the Blessing Foundation?
Since 1983, the Blessing Foundation has been giving back to the community that has given so much to all of us. The charitable foundation distribute grants, scholarships and financial assistance to individuals and families to help them on their healthcare journeys.
For more information about the Blessing Foundation or to discuss a donation or gift, call (217) 223-8400, ext. 4800, or email us at BlessingFoundation@blessinghealth.org
