Feels Like Coming Home
Wayne Reinhardt first walked into Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) in 2005 and never looked back.
Wayne Reinhardt
“Over 18 years, I've seen 30 doctors, and every single one has just been wonderful,” said the 76-year-old. “I had a friend who asked, ‘Why are you going to a dental school? Aren't you afraid?’ You know, I’ve had professional, excellent dental care [here].”
Reinhardt has been a patient in the school’s Ryan White Program, which provides comprehensive dental care to persons living with HIV. During the 2021-22 fiscal year, over 500 patients received treatment, and close to 20 percent of those, including Reinhardt, didn’t have insurance.
A former hospital corpsman in the U.S. Coast Guard, Reinhardt was diagnosed with HIV in 1995. Although he has health care through Veterans Affairs, he doesn’t qualify for dental benefits as it only covers service-connected treatment.
When needing dental work, Reinhardt’s case manager at the East Orange VA Medical Center recommended RSDM “because he had heard good things about it.” The manager also told him about the Ryan White Program.
“I really am appreciative of the Ryan White Program. If I didn't have it, I wouldn't have had any dental work because as you know, dental work is very expensive,” said Reinhardt, who makes less than $23,000 a year. “I really thank the Ryan White Program and the people that manage it.”
Through the program, he received partial dentures, extractions, root canals, and more. “When I got my first dentures, all that I can say was ‘Oh, gee, I can actually open my mouth,’” he recalled and added: “My dear mom had complete dentures, but she used to always talk with her hand up [in front of her mouth]. I never had to do that. It was such an enlightening moment, being able to look in the mirror and see a full set of teeth.”
His ability to chew and digest improved significantly. He has been able to maintain a healthy weight, too. “I can eat everything,” he said.
While his oral health improved, Reinhardt began to develop other health problems. He had cancer and several heart attacks. In 2008, he had a triple bypass.
“After the surgery, I fell into a real depression,” he said. He was diagnosed with moderate bipolar disorder. “The dental work, the kindness, the caring, the pleasantness that I saw here at Rutgers Dental School really helped elevate my mood,” he said. “It felt good. It felt like coming home here.”
The dental work boosted his confidence as well. “I didn't always feel good about myself, the way I looked with my teeth and whatnot,” he said. “Now, I'm over the moon happy with the way they've redone my teeth. And that really helped with the depression.”
