Meet Melinda Sherry. Today she is all smiles and we love that!

An outgoing young lady who captivated our hearts, but in desperate need of orthodontic treatment to straighten her misaligned teeth - Melinda has agreed to share her story with you.

Not having insurance, her parents were hesitant to undergo such a time and cost intensive treatment for their daughter. Upon Marla Fullen, an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant, and Dr. Janikian's encouragement, they soon changed their minds. Marla was speaking from experience when she explained the life change straightening Melinda's teeth could provide. Marla once filled Melinda's shoes and knows, all too well, the scars that ridicule and teasing from other kids can leave behind.

"I remember being that same age. I was such an ugly duckling!" explains Marla. "I had big, ugly glasses and had the worst overbite ever! The kids at school made fun of me all the time and I was so unhappy." Marla goes on to say, " I hated to go to school and I had no self confidence at all. The day I got my braces on my teeth, ALL the teasing stopped! It was as if someone had flipped a switch and all the misery was over."

Marla bonded with Melinda over the course of her treatment because Marla was reliving her life experiences through Melinda and knew what doors her treatment would open for her.

Marla explains, "It took a couple of years, but eventually the braces came off. By the time I had my teeth straight, I was in high school, I was cheerleading, a member of show choir, competing in talent shows and I even won a pageant! I went from not even wanting to go to school, to being a person who was front and center every chance I could get." 

Melinda wore braces for two years to correct her alignment. As soon as her treatment was concluded and the results were apparent, Marla knew there was one more step to make Melinda's transformation complete. Together, Dr. Janikian and Marla told Melinda that she would spend the afternoon at the Charles Penzone Spa in Dublin and would receive the pampering of a lifetime. She would have her hair styled, her eyebrows waxed and a makeup application/lesson to complete Melinda's amazing makeover. Not only did she "wow" everyone at Charles Penzone, but Channel 10 news heard about Melinda's story and rushed over to get an interview with her as well. We will soon have the clip of the news coverage so check back to see that.

"Seeing Melinda's post makeover smile means the world to me. That is why practicing dentistry is so important to me – allowing people to smile their widest smiles. I love it!" says Dr. Janikian.


Melinda's dramatic transformation



When asked about her transformation, Melinda says it was "AWESOME!" She says the experience was all that she expected and more. She says she smiles more and loves her new look. 

Melinda and Marla - post makeover.