Boise Doctor And Community Rallie Around Local Refugee Student To Provide Urgent Treatment

October is National Orthodontic Health Month: your bite impacts your health in ways you may not know. End Quote

Boise City, ID (1888PressRelease) October 13, 2015 - October is National Orthodontic Health month, and while many people don't often associate orthodontics with health, as opposed to straightening teeth for cosmetic reasons, proper alignment and spacing of teeth and bones is one of the best forms of preventive care treatment for our overall health. However, for a Borah high school student, the ability to have the necessary treatment to correct his bite and his teeth seemed like an unattainable goal. Abdifatah Maqtal, or Abdi as his friends commonly refer to him, is a 16 year old student-refugee who moved to Idaho from Ethiopia. Abdi is currently suffering from many of the effects associated with misaligned teeth.

Dr. Laura Lineberry wants the Treasure Valley to understand that Abdi's health, and the health of thousands of other area residents, is impacted by how your teeth are positioned and their ability to begin the digestive process. Crooked or poorly spaced teeth may cause difficulty chewing thoroughly which reduces the efficiency of the digestive process, which may have links to other digestive health issues as larger particles of food in the colon can increase bacterial imbalance, gas, cramping and infection. Misalignment of teeth is the number one cause of abnormal wear which breaks the teeth down too quickly, creating pain and restorative concerns. A bad bite can also contribute to Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which effects the joint where the jaw joins with the skull or the TMJ, that can be very painful and difficult to treat.

"Abdi's dental situation affects his overall health in a number of ways. The lack of overlap between his front teeth is referred to as an open bite. This problem makes eating difficult which can lead to digestive and nutritional issues. The jaw must operate unnaturally in order to chew his food, which can lead to joint disorders and excessive wear and breakage of back teeth" says Dr. Lineberry. "The missing front tooth may not only cause psychosocial issues with the appearance of his smile, but can also contribute to difficulty in speech. Furthermore, without orthodontics first, the dentist will have a very difficult time placing a bridge or implant that will be stable and last for Abdi's lifetime."

For those who don't know Abdi, he is sometimes referred to as the kid with the missing tooth. That's because Abdi is almost always smiling. He is bright, charming and, according to his teachers and coaches at Borah High, always positive. But thanks to the traumatic impact he suffered just a couple of years ago, Abdi is self-conscious about his smile. Worse, he's been known more by his toothless smile, then his many accomplishments on and off the school track. Even though Abdi is happy to be living here in Boise along with his mother Fardosa and Samira, his sister, who were forced to move from Ethiopia due to economic depression and a lack of opportunities, his integration into the community hasn't always been easy.

"I didn't know I had these issues, like my overbite or that my teeth were going to keep growing into each other and cause more pain. I was told that, in order to have my teeth fixed, I'd need to wait until I was 18. But that's when Medicaid stops covering kids. So that's when Tim, my coach, and other parents from the team decided to find me help." Says Abdi. "I'll be able to smile again now. Not like before, where I'm afraid to show my teeth. I'll be able to have a wide open smile and not be embarrassed!"
Abdifatah is a celebrated athlete that hopes to continue running on into college. He has his eyes set on joining the track and field teams of a number of colleges, most notably, Boise State University. According to his coach, Tim Severa, Abdi has the skills necessary to join such an excellent program. Abdi hopes to go on to study law or psychology which he will no doubt excel in, just as he has in school since relocating to Boise in 2010. Even though Abdi's condition is severe, his case was denied by Idaho Smiles, the dental option for Idaho Medicaid.

Dr. Lineberry says, "I feel very strongly that Abdi's case should have qualified for treatment through Idaho Smiles. Unfortunately, it's getting more and more difficult to gain approval for many patients that really need orthodontics for not only optimum esthetics, but for very functional reasons. It's a shame to see such a deserving and kind hearted kid slip through the cracks. Abdi's self-esteem and even his ability to integrate well here in the United States are directly tied to his smile. This is not just going to help him fit in with kids in high school, but for the rest of his life. My goal is to give him a healthy beautiful smile that is also very functional, that will last throughout his lifetime."

Dr. Lineberry is collaborating her treatment plan with other local dentists that will help Abdi over the next couple of years to correct his bite and create adequate space so that an implant may be placed, and providing her services at no cost to Abdi and his family. While Dr. Lineberry wants to emphasize overall physical health in this case, it's important to note that self-esteem and confidence are linked to the appearance of one's smile. She believes that your best accessory is your smile! If you have concerns about your orthodontic health, Dr. Lineberry offers complimentary consultations for new patients. You can call the office at 208-658-9470 or visit her website at lineberryortho.com.

Lineberry Orthodontics is Treasure Valley's premier orthodontic practice. Dr. Lineberry has over 17 years of experience serving patients in Boise, Eagle, Meridian and Mountain Home and is an Invisalign Premier Provider. Dr. Lineberry was voted a 2013 Business Woman of the Year by Idaho Business Review and lives in Eagle with her husband, David and their two children Seth & Payton.

If you would like more information about this story, please contact Casey McManus at 208-658-9470 or email at casey ( @ ) lineberryortho dot com.

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