Patient Profile, Alicia Garcia Rodriguez
Alicia Garcia Rodriguez, a VG Dental patient in her third trimester of pregnancy, shifted to get comfortable in the waiting area chair. “It’s not because I am nervous,” said Rodriguez. “I don’t get nervous about coming here.”
Pictured below, Alicia with Karen Hall, RDH, LAP
Rodriguez has been a Virginia Garcia patient for more than 10 years. She came to VG Cornelius when she was pregnant with her first child. Now with her fourth child on the way, Rodriguez has been able to take advantage of VG Dental OB Dental program which provides free dental care to expectant mothers. Rodriguez was referred to OB Dental by Dr. Lyn Jacobs who understands the importance of good oral hygiene during pregnancy. “We know that oral hygiene is especially important during pregnancy when patients are more susceptible to oral disease,” said Jacobs.
Before she began the OB Dental program, Rodriguez had no access to dental care. “When I came, I had a damaged tooth that had to be repaired, and my teeth needed to be cleaned,” said Rodriguez “It hurt at first, but now my mouth feels much better.”
Rodriguez attended oral hygiene classes with other OB Dental mothers which she said were a “big help.” OB Dental classes give mothers the instruction and information they need to pass on to other family members to improve overall family health.
Rodriguez has introduced her mother and sister-in-law to VG Dental and told friends about it as well. And Rodriguez’s children sometimes come with her to VG Dental and are less apprehensive about going to the dentist since they’ve seen her get treatment. “It’s been a very good experience for us.”