Dental Crisis Nearly Stopped Gerb’s Education

Gerb is a double major student at Mission College, studying biomedical engineering and nuclear engineering. He’s on track to transfer to a four-year college within the next year.  

But a dental abscess two years ago almost derailed those goals, until a gift from the Emergency Assistance Program allowed him to treat the medical issue. 

“I honestly didn’t know if I was going to continue going to school just because of how bad it hurt,” Gerb says. “The money allowed me to spring forward into being able to fully be back in school here at Mission.” 

Gerb had just moved to California from Florida, eager to pursue his higher education goals. Within his first semester of starting at Mission, however, his throbbing tooth pain stopped responding to over-the-counter medications. Before long, he was missing class because he simply couldn’t pay attention given the pain. 

Through a dental consult, Gerb learned he had a dental abscess, likely caused by repeated injuries to his jaw from playing football. He would need a series of procedures to fix the problem. The cost? Between $9,000 and $10,000 out of pocket. 

It was a hefty price tag, especially for a student, but Gerb knew he desperately needed the procedures. He assumed his only option was to quit school so he could instead work more hours at his construction job to pay for the dental work. A counselor at Mission encouraged him to first apply for the emergency fund. 

Gerb worried about opening up about his situation but found the college staff to be compassionate and understanding. They asked for documentation about what was happening with his tooth, Gerb says, but were never judgmental about his condition. He was awarded about $2,500 in emergency funds, allowing him to place a deposit and start the process. 

“That really gave me the motivation to stay in school,” Gerb says. “Once I was able to make the down payment and get the work started, I was like, ok, this pain is not here anymore. I don’t feel so depleted. If it wasn’t for the emergency funds, I don’t know where I’d be now.”