A teenage girl will have a brand new smile tomorrow after a dentist, who read about her dream of fixing her rotten teeth, decided to give her something to beam about this Christmas.
“I was very excited when the dentist told me... I look forward to feeling better about myself,” 17-year-old Judith* says timidly adding that she is grateful that her dream is being fulfilled.
On December 1, Times of Malta published a story about the Children’s Dreams campaign that aims to fulfil the dreams of children who live in care or have social problems.
I look forward to feeling better about myself
Their dreams are uploaded onto the website childrendreams.org where the public can make them happen.
The campaign, carried out by government support agency Appoġġ, follows a similar successful project in Lithuania. Lina Pecorella started the project in Malta last year.
While several children listed their dreams of having toys, clothes and necessities – like blankets and heaters – Judith asked for teeth.
A dentist, who does not want to be named, read the story and recognised Judith as the young woman taken to him for a consultation by a patient who happened to be a social worker.
He contacted the social worker – Daniela Pulo – and told her to take the girl back the following day when he told Judith he would give her a new smile.
“Her wish to have her teeth for Christmas said a lot. I opted to just go ahead and do them instead of waiting for funds to be collected,” the dentist said, adding that her mouth was in a terrible state and needed immediate attention.
The process, which will be completed tomorrow, involves cleaning the teeth and gums, root canal treatments, replacing 26 teeth and inserting crowns and bridges.
Judith can’t wait. She looks at her other social worker, Maria Mangion, with contained enthusiasm.
Ms Mangion tells her she is proud of her and, with tears of joy in her eyes, recalls how introverted the teenager was when she first met her a few months ago.
Judith had problems with social skills, did not know how to look after her appearance and practiced low hygiene, resulting in her teeth becoming rotten.
“Her parents did not do this intentionally. They did not know better. They love their daughter,” Ms Mangion said.
Her parents understood it was necessary for Judith so spend some time in a residence run by Appoġġ until they pull themselves together.
Meanwhile, Judith is being taught social skills and various daily skills, like cooking and budgeting. “She worked very hard and we’ve seen huge changes,” Ms Mangion said.
Judith added: “I took up the offertory at Mass the other day” – a huge leap in overcoming her shyness.
Judith, who is now temporarily living with a foster family, is in daily contact with her parents. She understands this separation is necessary for everyone’s benefit and that her parents are doing their best.
And when she gets her new teeth tomorrow, there is no doubt in her mind the first people she will go show her new smile to will be her mum and dad.
*Not her real name