Consuelo is healthy, happy, and grateful today, but it wasn’t always that way. Just last year, Consuelo faced what she considered to be a hopeless condition. She felt overwhelmed and defeated.

After struggling for many years with tooth decay, she reached a point where the pain was interfering with her ability to eat and sleep. Her oral health condition had taken a toll on her overall health and made it difficult to manage her diabetes.

System, language, and cultural barriers to health care can result in poor health outcomes and reduced quality of life. Obtaining and navigating dental insurance is often even more complicated. Consuelo was afraid to get treated and she didn’t believe she could afford the care she desperately needed.

Everything changed when Consuelo met Judith, a WellShare Community Health Worker. Judith spoke in Spanish with Consuelo and assured her that there was a path forward, and that safe and affordable care was possible.

Within days of meeting, Judith connected Consuulo with a community dental clinic. This was a big step for Consuelo. Judith shared many stories of her clients overcoming similar dental conditions and receiving life-changing outcomes.

The next week, Consuelo had her first dental appointment, where she was told she would need to have all of her teeth removed. Consuelo was shocked, scared, and disappointed, imagining the physical pain and financial burden this would cause her.

Judith helped her apply for financial assistance, which enabled Consuelo to proceed with the treatment at a more manageable cost. Judith accompanied Consuelo to her procedure, providing her with comfort and reassurance every step of the way.

Today, Consuelo is pain-free and her confidence is growing. Her diabetes is under control and she is now able to eat the healthy foods she once loved. Consuelo’s success even inspired her husband to begin his oral health journey with the same clinic.