Shyama Chapin here... I'm a massage therapist and kirtan musician, 65 years old and doing work that I love, but without investments or savings. I live pretty much paycheck to paycheck.

So when four old dental crowns fell apart during Covid lockdowns here in New York, I took extra care with my dental hygiene (though as you can see in the photo, still drank plenty of tea and coffee!) and hoped that I would be able to replace them piecemeal over time.

As I turned 65, I was able to get a Medicare Advantage plan with dental coverage, which is a big help in a year with a couple of cleanings and maybe a filling here and there. But when my dentist told me in January that an implant/crown and two replacement crowns (with root canals) needed to be done ASAP, with total costs, even with her kind discounts, totaling nearly $13,000, I told her that I would have to fundraise before we could begin. So here I am, starting a GoFundMe for the first time in my life. I have no other way to pay for the needed work, and am grateful beyond measure for any and all donations, however modest. Thank you in advance for your consideration and kind support.