Jesse Richard, 18, lives in Mead, Colo., and is a patient at Salud Family Health Center. Dedicated to helping the underserved, Salud’s nine clinics are committed to integrating medical, mental and dental care for its patients.

I didn’t really have a good life when I was younger. We spent most of the time on the road, moving from state to state. The only time I ever went to a dentist was once when I was 10. Otherwise we couldn’t pay for a dentist and we didn’t have any insurance. I never really had much time to brush my teeth.

Then three years ago, me and my mom were living in Camp Verde, Ariz. We ran into some troubles, and she sent me up here to live with my stepfather, in Mead, just outside Longmont.

My teeth were in pretty bad shape, but I guess I had kind of gotten used to the pain. But my stepsister told me about Salud Family Health Center in Longmont. She said they could help me and it wouldn’t cost me anything.

So I went and got an appointment. That was two years ago. Since then, I’ve had quite a few cavities filled, a couple of teeth pulled and some root canals done. I’d estimate they’ve done about $3,000 worth of dental work on my mouth, but it hasn’t cost me anything. And it’s really helped. I don’t have any more cavities now, and I have lots better brushing habits. I actually floss my teeth now.

They always treat me with respect. The people there are really nice, and after I’d only been there a couple of times, it seemed like everyone there knew my name and talked to me when I went in. It only hurt when the numbing shot I had wore off. But that only happened once or twice.

I’ve still got some more dental work to be done. I have to go see a specialist because the roots on one of my teeth are at a weird angle, so they can’t do a root canal on it at the clinic. I’m going to go to a place that takes Medicaid patients.

In the meantime, my teeth look a whole lot better now. And that’s helped me with my self confidence, knowing I don’t have gigantic holes in the front of my teeth.

I’m 18 now. Last year, I went to Skyline High School, but now I’ve transferred over to the Adult Education program. I plan on studying automotive, then finding a nice place in a small town and becoming a mechanic. And I don’t plan on getting into any boxing matches. I’m going to take care of my teeth.