Starr Orthodontics offers free braces to low-income residents in Matthews, Mint Hill and Union County
by Kara Lopp
Isabella Kravchenko is counting down the days until March 6.
That’s the day the 8-year-old Lebanon Road Elementary third grader will get braces – for free – thanks to Starr Orthodontics in Matthews. The office at 1326 Matthews Township Pkwy. is one of only three area orthodontists to join Smile for a Lifetime, a Colorado-based national nonprofit that partners with doctors to offer free procedures, like braces, to people who can’t afford them. Doctors Gary Starr and Steven Dickens recently created their own nonprofit chapter to serve low-income residents in Matthews, Mint Hill and Union County.
The chapter, which focuses on serving patients 21 and younger, includes a volunteer board of community members who screen and select recipients based on photos of their smile and an online application, available at www.starrortho.com/smile-for-a-lifetime.php. Though the chapter is required to select at least six patients a year to receive free treatment, the doctors hope to at least double that effort.
So far, the office has received six applications and has begun treating two patients: Isabella and a 17-year-old from Monroe. J.D. Kisella of Matthews’ Kisella Surgery Center, has offered his oral surgery services for free, too.
For Isabella, the procedure will be life-changing, said her mother, Yevnika. A single mom working part-time at a local doctor’s office, Yevnika said she’s wanted to get her daughter braces for some time but can’t afford them. And their Medicaid insurance doesn’t cover braces for children younger than 12, she said. Now, Isabella’s been fitted with metal expanders to prepare her mouth for braces.
Before being accepted into the program, Isabella was having “so many problems at school,” Yevnika said. “Kids were making fun of her. She was so negative about everything and did not want to go to school. Every morning she would make up a story that her stomach hurt and she’s very smart, she does well in school. I didn’t want her to go through five more years of bullying, but I can’t afford braces right now.”
And how did the family react when Isabella was chosen for the program?
“That was the happiest day for us. We were just jumping for joy,” Yevnika said. “Even just the idea of braces, knowing that they’re coming, her confidence is that much greater. She’s counting on a beautiful smile. She’s doing better in school now and she’s not covering her face as much. She doesn’t make up stories now when she has to go to school.
“We’re just so lucky they’re doing this program for people like us. I tell everyone just to go see them. I don’t think there’s a better doctor in town.”
Need help?
Low-income residents in Matthews, Mint Hill and Union County can fill out an online application for free braces at www.starrortho.com/smile-for-a-lifetime.php.
For more information or if you have questions, call 704-845-0600 or e-mail smileforalifetime@starrortho.com.
Find more information online about Smile for a Lifetime at www.s4l.org.
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