Making a Difference, One Smile at a Time
When I was first approached about providing dental services at the Hampshire County Jail & House of Correction, I hesitated. Dentistry in a jail wasn’t something I had ever considered, and I wasn’t sure what to expect.
When I met with the Sheriff, he told me that his goal was to help make productive members of our community. After shadowing a retiring dentist for a couple of weeks, I was willing to give it a try.
Today, my time at the jail has become one of the most meaningful aspects of my work.
How It All Began
My experience in emergency dental care started in dental school. Unlike the structured, carefully planned appointments of my recurring patients, the emergency clinic provided hands-on exposure to acute cases, often involving patients in severe pain. The urgent environment was purposeful—offering immediate relief to someone in distress.
After dental school, I transitioned into private practice, where the focus is long-term care and preventive treatments. When the opportunity to work at the jail arose, I realized my emergency care experience could serve a different population. What started as a hesitant “maybe” turned into an experience that continues to reshape my perspective on dentistry, care, and being a productive member of the community.
What It’s Like at the Jail
The Hampshire County Jail environment differs greatly from private practice. Many of the individuals I see have gone years without dental care—some have never visited a dentist. The work is primarily focused on extractions and urgent care, but it’s about more than just treating pain.
Education plays a key role. Understanding how and why an individual’s disease happens allows me an opportunity to have a discussion with the patient about what steps they can take to maintain better oral health after they leave. This is frequently the first time someone has broken down dental care in a way that feels actionable and relevant to their life outside of incarceration.
Why It Matters
How can I fulfill my civic duties? I’ve learned a lot at the jail and often about things I never would have considered. One of my first lessons was in civics: healthcare at the jail is a right, outlined by the Supreme Court in Estelle v. Gamble 1976. Denying healthcare to prisoners is a violation of the 8th amendment, cruel and unusual punishment.
Am I and those around me a little better off at the end of the day? Relieving someone’s pain or providing them with the knowledge to care for their teeth may seem small, but when someone says thank you when they think no one else is watching it means a lot.
Finding Ways to Give Back
Giving back doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about recognizing your skills and using them in a way that serves others. For me, that means providing dental care. For others, it might mean mentoring, teaching, or finding small ways to make a positive impact in their community.
As a local superintendent once encouraged, “Focus on your sphere of influence.” If each of us finds a way to contribute within our own sphere of influence, the collective impact can be significant.