“I must tell you about my most favorite dental experience ever.”

Most people don’t gush about a wonderful trip to the dentist. Shawn-Kristin Reynolds never expected she would either. But, she’s someone on the comeback from a serious life changing event, and her time with the Neighborhood Health Center dental team has been such an important part of her journey that she felt compelled to write about it on Google.

First though, is some background on how Shawn-Kristin got to where she is today. Shawn-Kristin was an orphan for several years until two months before her 13th birthday, when her aunt and uncle took her and her sister in. Spending her life with her biological mother until the age of 7, Shawn-Kristin and her brother and sister were placed in foster care in 1972, due to the abuse they endured from their step-father. She and her siblings spent varying years in foster care, until going to an orphanage, where Shawn-Kristin continued to experience various forms of abuse. 

Shawn-Kristin recounts how her biological mother instilled strong values in her and her siblings from a very young age. She explained that her mother taught them to not judge anyone because of their circumstances, and to remain kind and loving to all people. When the orphanage was shutting down, Shawn-Kristin’s aunt and uncle took care of her and her sister, instilling a secure foundation wrapped within a normalcy she had not experienced before. 

Then, Shawn-Kristin met Mrs. Ward, an elderly, retired teacher down the street. Living alone, her sons out of state, Shawn-Kristin noticed how lonely Mrs. Ward seemed. One day, they started talking and she learned how difficult doing certain tasks was for Mrs. Ward. From that day, Shawn-Kristin would help Mrs. Ward. From carrying in her groceries, to mowing her lawn and cleaning her home, Shawn-Kristin would never accept money from Mrs. Ward, but they would share lunches and meaningful conversation.

“I fell in love with geriatrics because of Mrs. Ward,” said Shawn-Kristin. “I began taking care of people in their homes, into my young adulthood, before getting my nursing degree. It made me warm and happy to ease another’s pain or day.” 

Shawn-Kristin had early dreams of becoming a doctor or surgeon. Following schooling, she became a registered nurse (RN), practicing in many different specialties until 2017 when she shifted her career to being a travel nurse. She traveled to different health centers along the east coast, before returning to WNY. She continued to work as a traveling nurse for a year until the health center she was working for took her on as a full-time staff member. Within that following month, Shawn-Kristin took a horrific fall at work.

Tripping over a ladder that was being used to block a doorway, Shawn-Kristin was left with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Because of the injury, she had to relearn how to talk and walk. Also due to the injury, Shawn-Kristin can no longer work as a nurse, as her short term memory was impacted greatly. She is now going on her 14th major surgery and continues to be positive. 

“Life is really good, you know,” said Shawn-Kristin, “by the choices we make and how we treat one another.” 

In the years following her injury, Shawn-Kristin chose to stay in the area with her two dogs, Quinn and Finn. Originally from northwest Indiana, she fell in love with Buffalo. In her recovery from the TBI Shawn-Kristin began taking medication that caused her to experience dry mouth. This is how she came to love cinnamon hard candy.

In looking for a dentist in the area, Shawn-Kristin came across Neighborhood Health Center dentist Dr. Hetterich. After seeing her for the first time, Shawn-Kristin found out that she had nine cavities, which she attributes to her love of cinnamon hard candy at the time. Thus began Shawn-Kristin’s visits to Neighborhood Health Center, and to Dr. Hetterich and her dental assistant, Teneka McIntosh. 

“The openness, patience, and kindness that Dr. Hetterich and Teneka exude as a team is refreshing,” said Shawn-Kristin, in her Google review of Neighborhood. “Dr. Hetterich extended herself on so many levels and I really can’t thank her enough.”

Due to her experience with Neighborhood’s dental department, Shawn-Kristin found herself becoming a primary care patient at Neighborhood as well. 

“You know how many people out there go from doctor to doctor because they just can’t find the right fit? [Neighborhood] was my golden ticket. Neighborhood was the right fit for me,” said Shawn-Kristin, “When you can find a health center that truly cares and it is shown by their staff, to me that’s a golden ticket.”

A consistent and quality care experience is an important part of Neighborhood’s mission and vision. The kind people who make up the Neighborhood team is what allows the health center to provide such care. Our values of inclusivity, openness, and respect guide our ambassadors in providing non-judgmental and compassionate care to all patients. 

Shawn-Kristin explained how, due to the amount of medical related problems she faces, she always feels sorry for the doctor that cares for her. When she came to Neighborhood, she never felt that she was too much, for any of the providers she has seen. 

“I feel that I am a part of Neighborhood Health Center, as opposed to just a patient,” said Shawn-Kristin. “Thanks Neighborhood Health Center for employing the best of the best!”