You would not think that anyone could be grateful for having a heart attack.
But looking at the big, bright smile on William Wandin’s face might make you wonder if that’s true.
In November of last year, William, known to most in community as “Cookie”, had a heart attack here in Bairnsdale, and was rushed by helicopter to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
“I was just sitting at home one morning, I had been playing with my niece,” he remembers. “And I just felt this tightness in my chest – something didn’t feel right.”
So he walked up to the hospital. Lucky he did too.
Later, the Emergency Dept. staff at BRHS would be credited with saving Cookie’s life while they waited for the helicopter transport.
He would spend a month at The Alfred recovering from the heart attack.
But what caused the heart attack might surprise you.
It was his teeth and gums.
Cookie had long suffered from poor dental health.
“I hated brushing my teeth as a kid, so I wouldn’t do it,” he remembers. “Mum would tell me to brush my teeth, but I’d just go into the bathroom and stand there for a minute and then say ‘alright, all done!’”
“And then growing up the problems just got worse.”
After GEGAC’s Dental Manager Judy-Anne (JA) Alexander bumped into Cookie at the McDonalds in Lakes Entrance where he worked back in 2002, she convinced him to come to the GEGAC dentist for a check-up.
He tried to make it to the dentist regularly, but transport was a problem, and then he stopped coming altogether.
And so his teeth and gums got steadily worse.
Unbeknownst to him, bacteria associated with gum disease can enter the bloodstream and lead to a hardening of the arteries, which is a major risk factor for heart attacks.
Fast forward to November 2024, and that heart attack happens.
It very nearly killed him. But he got a second chance. Many don’t.
“I have a family history of heart attacks,” Cookie says. “Too many people have died too young.”
The rehab nurse here in Bairnsdale who was helping Cookie in his recovery could see that his teeth and gums were a problem, and so she called us here at GEGAC Dental.
“We got him in right away, and got to work,” JA says. “We were glad he was finally able to commit to regular appointments.”
Eight months later and Cookie’s mouth is all fixed – teeth and gums all cleaned up and new dentures in place.
GEGAC’s dental services are free for Aboriginal people and low cost for non-Aboriginal members of community.
Not only has he reduced the risk of suffering another heart attack, but Cookie says his new smile has made a big impact on his mental health, and the way he feels about himself.
“I feel more confident,” he says. “I’m happy to look at people and smile. I used to look away. I don’t look away anymore. People come into the Coles Liquorland where I work, and they make comments that my smile looks good. It’s nice.”
Friends and family members that need dental work have been inspired by his example, too, so hopefully Cookie’s story motivates others to give JA a call and book in for a check up.
Cookie’s advice to anyone who has been putting off having a dental check?
“Get off your a** and do it,” he says, flashing that smile. “I just wish I had of done it years sooner.”
To make a dental appointment give JA and the team a call on 0437 613 498, or email dental.reception@gegac.org.au
