David's Smile

Three years ago when David Gauthier started his job as a Legislative Intern for Mayor Bob Foster of Long Beach, he had no idea how drastically his life was going to change.  David was used to working in physical jobs, such as a truck driver.  When former First Lady of California Maria Shriver’s We Include Initiative presented the opportunity, David started a new career in the public eye working for Mayor Foster.  Since then, David has been interviewed by local newspapers, coordinated tours of City Hall for elementary schools, spoken at numerous events including Maria Shriver’s Women’s Conference, and he’s been to Washington D.C. with Best Buddies International to lobby for services for people with disabilities.  And he’s done all of this with a smile.  

But, David’s smile wasn’t what he wanted it to be.  David had lost a tooth seven years ago and had lived with that missing tooth, unable financially to complete the very costly dental work required.  Throughout all of his public speaking as a Best Buddies Ambassador, he put any feelings of self-consciousness aside and focused on his message – people with disabilities are valuable people and deserve the same chances as people without disabilities.  But David felt that no matter how professional he looked in his suit and tie, people were always noticing his missing tooth.

David Before his visit to CDHC in Long Beach

Mayor Foster decided to do something about that.  “I knew that David was self-conscious about [the missing tooth] because he had talked about it some,” said Mayor Foster.  He decided to send David to his own dentist.  “I was deeply honored that the Mayor himself took this issue on personally,” David said.  From the Mayor’s dentist, he learned just how extensive and expensive the dental work would be.   “It was a prohibitive amount of money, especially for David,” Mayor Foster explained, who then reached out to a contact at the Children’s Dental Health Clinic (CDHC) in Long Beach.

 

The Children’s Dental Health Clinic serves Greater Long Beach through clinics in Long Beach, Bellflower, and Catalina Island, as well as a Mobile Dental Clinic.  They offer general dentistry as well as specialized dental services and share education to the community about the importance of good oral health.  “The Children’s Dental Health Clinic is an amazing asset for underprivileged and poor families in Long Beach.  They provide an often overlooked service.  People don’t realize the significant impact that dental hygiene plays on health,” Mayor Foster said. “Doctors donate their services.  They show up in emergencies and provide services for free.  The doctors have done a lot for the community that people don’t know about,” Barbara Lieberman-Jones, the Development Director of the CDHC, further explained.  The CDHC is truly a community effort and has been in operation for over 79 years, providing services to more than half a million needy children.

 

Knowing that finances were a barrier for David, Mayor Foster spoke with Barbara at CDHC.  While he was not a child, David clearly needed help.  “We knew that we had to figure out how to help David,” explained Barbara.  “And, if anybody could help, it would be Dr. John Blake.” The Children’s Dental Health Clinic’s Executive Director and Dental Director, Dr. Blake arranged for David to meet a local Long Beach dentist, Dr. Lynn Fasnacht, who has volunteered his services to CDHC for the past 30 years.  “The Children’s Dental Health Clinic was merely a conduit in finding a dentist to help David.  Any recognition should properly go to Dr. Fasnacht,” Dr. Blake told Best Buddies.

Through the introduction from Dr. Blake, David received the dental work that he waited for over seven years to receive.  David received a bridge on his upper teeth as well as additional restorative dental work.  “Dr. Fasnacht is warm and personable and a really good dentist.  His staff is amazing and I can’t say enough about them,” David stated.  “I am humbled and flattered that so many people would take this much interest in me.” Dr. Fasnacht told Best Buddies that he was happy to help David but that he preferred that all attention be directed towards the work that the Children’s Dental Health Clinic is doing for underprivileged children.  “If anyone needs to be thanked for their hard work, it is Dr. John Blake,” said Dr. Fasnacht.

David's new smile

Now that David’s smile is perfected, he’s ready to step in front of an audience again. “I feel normal.  I feel that it will make me a more respected public speaker and advocate for people with disabilities,” David said.  “The next time I get up in front of a crowd and speak from the heart, I won’t feel like people are focusing on my smile.”

To learn more about the services offered by the Children’s Dental Health Clinic, visit their website at http://cdhc.org or call 562-933-3141.  The clinic also has a donation wish list that can be found on their website as well as information on how you can volunteer.