LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Audrey Barney went into the military when she was 19 years old. She was in the Kentucky Air National Guard, then became an police officer and served in law enforcement for 20 years before she retired as a sergeant. Barney thought she was doing everything right to maintain her dental health. But in the past couple of years, she started to have some issues with her teeth.
“Around 2010, I decided to have my teeth redone in the back because I grew up when they put metal fillings in,” said Barney.
What Barney didn’t realize was she had an infection that ran through her whole jawline.
“So what that caused is like a domino effect of just problems. You know, the root canals failed, the crowns fell out and then you start, you know, little by little it moves to the front and then it’s where you can’t hide it anymore,” said Barney.
She was known for her smile, Barney says, but it’s been over two years since she has smiled.
“People that don’t know, they look, and they think, you know, why doen’t she just get her teeth fixed or, you know, they look bad, but you don’t want that. So, you just avoid people. One of the things I like to do is I like to work with people, and I like giving back to the community. And one of the things that hindered that is my smile,” said Barney.
Before Barney lost all hope, she applied to the Second Chance program at Innovative Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Studio in Louisville. The full mouth and dental treatment would normally cost $60,000. But the Second Chance program provided the procedure to Barney free of charge.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Kenneth Livesay Jr. says dental problems can hinder the other important parts of people’s lives.
“They’re just really debilitated by their teeth. Their diet is completely changed. They won’t smile at patients or say they don’t go out socially anymore because they’re just embarrassed, you know? So the confidence level just goes through the roof after this,” said Livesay.
It will take six months before Barney has her final teeth. But after that, she’ll be flashing a beautiful Hollywood smile. Friends and family are looking forward to seeing her new pearly whites.
“I’m feeling really excited for her. I know it means a lot to her. And, you know, our smiles are really important just in our everyday lives,” said Carolynne Webster, Barney’s daughter.
It’s been three weeks since Barney had her initial procedure. She says she is relearning how to eat, drink and even talk with her new teeth, but is thankful for the opportunity to fix something that has bothered her for a long time.
“I’m just thankful and I feel just blessed and overwhelmed that I was selected for the Second Chance program,” said Barney.
Barney hopes others are encouraged to see the importance of your dental health.
This is the first year for the Second Chance Program at Innovative Oral Surgery & Dental Implant studio in Louisville and they plan on making it an annual campaign.