Kahala ‘Fixer’ Stands By To Help Abused

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Dr. Marcia Loo is in the business of fixing teeth and changing lives by her involvement in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s “Give Back A Smile” program.

Dentists like Loo who are members of the AACD, volunteer their services to restore the broken and damaged teeth of women who are survivors of domestic violence. All work is done for free.

“We rehabilitate the ‘smile zone’ of battered or abused women - as long as they’ve left the abusive relationship,“explained Loo, whose practice is in Kahala.

Women go through a screening process, which involves calling 1-800-773-4227 for an application and filling it out with the help of a domestic violence counselor. The application is then returned to the AACD for review. Women also must confirm that they’ve left the abusive relationship. If a dentist agrees to take her case, then it is the responsibility of the woman to make the appropriate follow-up calls to schedule the work.

Loo is now in her 10th year as a “Give Back A Smile” volunteer, and she’s only seen six cases. While she’s proud to offer her services for this program, she said she’s had a hard time getting the word out about the program’s existence.

“I hear there are hundreds of people who need our services. That’s where our hold-up is. I’ve talked to women’s organizations; (they have) not heard of the program.

“That’s the primary reason why I joined the AACD, I heard of the program and I was like ‘wow’ that was a mind-blowing concept. It’s also a way of my giving back to the community and to my profession.

“But to find out that it’s not widely known, that no one’s doing a pro-active approach on it ... I tried to get on the board of directors. They don’t really have any women on committee.”

Another reason Loo has only seen a small number of cases is that some women are simply afraid or feel too insecure to come in for the appointment.

“Sometimes the women don’t show up for the appointment. I’m not sure how to bring the women in here. There are several of us in the islands who do this, but no one knows. Sure a lot of them are (afraid), until they actually come in. That’s where I get my high - they come in and are ashamed, but walk out later beaming from ear to ear.”

Of the six women she’s seen, the results “have been phenomenal,” she said.“That’s why I want to do more. I see some of them downtown; they’re just so happy, and they’ve been out the relationship.”

For more information on the service, call Loo at 737-6150 in the offices of Marcia and Theodore Loo, or visit www.aacd.com and click on the “charitable foundation” link for more information on the “Give Back A Smile” program.

(Dentists are welcome to visit the AACD website to download press releases and printable brochures.)