00:02For 27 years, Lawford Brown relied on a dental plate to hold in two false teeth.
00:07When it no longer fit, it was tough to eat, speak and perform.
00:12It made it incredibly difficult for me to live a full life.
00:1618 months of not being able to sing really stumped my soul.
00:21She couldn't afford the fix on her pension and difficulties with housing were taking priority.
00:27Dental unfortunately goes to the back seat and that is a real issue.
00:32An issue Adelaide University has been tackling.
00:35For 15 years, the dental school has been treating vulnerable patients at no cost.
00:41Dr Poppy Anastasiadis says there's a broad trend of people putting off the dentist until things get really severe.
00:48Small things can become big things quite easily.
00:51The reality of what we try and provide here is making sure people are healthy,
00:55but then our focus on prevention.
00:57With dental care largely falling outside of Medicare,
01:01the referral only program runs on support from the uni, donations and staff.
01:06We do something quite simple for a dentist to do.
01:08With that comes their improved self-image, self-esteem.
01:12Beyond the community impact, the program also shapes the careers of the students who volunteer.
01:16I thought it would be a good way to expand my own clinical skills as well as serving the underserved
01:22communities.
01:23Among hundreds of patients seen each year, Lordford appreciates the little things.
01:28To make sure that I could enunciate and sing again was like getting my life back.
01:34So my soul is singing now.
01:38A reason to sing and to smile.
01:40And to encourage people protecting themselves that deserve some부�ger,
01:46...is one of them to play without theices.
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