Corinne

Imagine if it hurt to smile. That's how life was for Corinne, who moved to Denver from Alabama three years ago, hoping that life would get better for her and her seven-year-old son. In addition to the daily struggles facing a single mother in a new city, she was in constant pain from years of neglecting her dental health.

Now 27, a lack of insurance or other means to pay for dental visits was a big reason why Corinne had not seen a dentist in 14 years. She came to Cody Dental Group as part of a program to provide $60,000 in free dental care to Warren Village residents in honor of Cody?s 60th anniversary in 2006. Warren Village is a Denver nonprofit that provides transitional housing and support to low income single parents who are down on their luck.

When Dr. Bunch and Dr. Chew examined Corinne, they found some serious problems. She had 17 cavities and needed three root canals. She was in so much pain that they began seeing her once a week.

Now Corinne says it feels good to feel better. She quit smoking, is eating better, and taking better care of her overall health. She has a job as a social worker and is working toward her degree at Metro State College. Most of all, she is grateful for the help she received from Warren Village and Cody Dental Group.

"I'm the only person I know who looks forward to going to the dentist," she laughed.

Life has indeed changed for Corinne and her son. The smile on her face says it all. The pain is gone and smiling no longer hurts. Now that?s a happy ending.

Four generations find a lifetime of oral health at Cody Dental Group

Judy Spratlen knows more about Cody Dental Group than almost anyone in town. That?s because her family has been coming to Cody for nearly as long as the practice has been around. Now, as Cody Dental Group celebrates its 60th anniversary, a fourth generation of Judy?s family is upholding the tradition.

Judy recalls that her parents, Bob and Pattie Jacobs, first started seeing Dr. Ray Hailey in the original Cody location at 16th and Humboldt. Next came Judy and her husband Chip. Judy still receives her oral health care at Cody, and she still sees Dr. Charles Chew, who joined Cody in 1974.

When Judy began taking her daughters, Brandie and Stacey, to see Dr. Chew, they became the third generation of her family at Cody. Now, Stacey?s two-year old son Max and Brandy?s daughter Ellie are the fourth and newest generation of Cody patients from Judy?s family. Both children see pediatric specialist Dr. Nancy Simons.

What keeps Judy and families like hers coming back to Cody Dental Group is the feeling that they are more than just patients ? they are part of the Cody family.

?It just feels friendly there. They know me and that feels good,? she says. "I feel very confident at Cody. When I had a bad toothache on a Sunday night, I called them and they got me in right away. I know they are always there when I need them."