FRESNO, Calif. — Cheers and tears filled the Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center Thursday morning as Iris, a mother and in-home caregiver, was named the recipient of the annual Second Chance program.
Selected from more than 500 applicants, Iris will receive a full smile restoration valued at $50,000. The program replaces missing or failing teeth with dental implants topped by custom-made prosthetics.
“I am very grateful to everyone. I appreciate this opportunity,” Iris said, reflecting on years of dental struggles. “From 18 on, I started losing teeth and went through countless procedures with crowns and fillings, often without options to replace them.”
Oral Surgeon Dr. Brian Huh, who leads the program, highlighted the need for such initiatives. “This provides at least one person who truly needs it a chance to regain their smile,” he said. “Being part of the community is central to our mission.”
Dr. Adam Shinkawa, also involved in Iris’s care, added, “Changing someone’s smile doesn’t just improve their appearance—it boosts confidence and transforms lives.”
The treatment will take several months to complete, but Iris says she is ready for the journey. “All these years of struggling and staying positive—it feels like the universe brought this opportunity back to me,” she said.