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Wind blows through the trees.
[music]
Dog barks in quiet neighborhood.
Boat blows its horn.
Kelly Crooker: Every patient that I see, I know I’m touching their life
in a profound way.
My name is Kelly Crooker and I’m a general dentist for the
Family Oriented Primary Health Care Center in Mobile, AL.
During my first year of dental school, I accepted a military scholarship with the army.
As soon as I graduated dental school I was stationed at Fr. Polk, LA for 3 years.
When I was in the military, it was very difficult to see a young
17 or 18-year-old soldier come in and sometimes have to have all of
of his teeth taken out due to lack of dental care.
That was a huge motivating factor for coming back to public service and
public health. There’s definitely a connection between military service
and public health.
They’re both serving others - just in different ways.
So, as soon as my military commitment was finished I moved home to Mobile.
My husband found out about the National Health Service Corps online.
We thought it was a fantastic opportunity.
I started thinking I really wanted to do something that would give me some flexibility
as far as wanting to be a mother - wanting to have children one day.
One of the great things about the National Health Service Corps is that
you can do this part time and still receive loan repayment.
Being able to have that flexibility to have more face-time with my own family
is very beneficial.
To daughter: Good job!.
You know, our clinic focuses mostly on children.
I’m able to see these children from such a young age and give them
a positive dental experience.
So, when they reach the age of 18 or 19,
they have had regular dental care. And they won’t be showing up in a
dentist office with a mouth full of difficult treatments.
To patient: High five!
It makes me feel wonderful.
I personally feel that every patient that we see and are able to treat
is a success story and that I’m impacting their life.
Especially giving them a positive experience from a young age.
There are plenty of people who have a traumatic dental experience
and never go back to a dentist. We are looking to combat that.
That’s why I’ll stay here when my commitment is over.
The National Health Service Corps has provided the opportunity for me
to practice in public health the way that I want to and not have the
financial obligations that I would otherwise have.
I would recommend to any military veteran who is interested in
public health to go on to the National Health Service Corps website
and look for opportunities.
[music]