Helen's Brave Smile at Dental Camp

Helen bounced a tennis ball against the medical cabin's wooden wall, catching it with practiced ease. The morning sun filtered through the pine trees surrounding Camp Wilderness, casting dancing shadows across the porch where she waited for dental health week to begin.

"Helen! There you are!" Maya rushed up the path, her purple camp shirt slightly rumpled, her braids swinging wildly. "I need to tell you something."

Helen caught the ball mid-bounce and grinned. "What's up? Ready to learn about molars and bicuspids?"

Maya's face crumbled. "I lost a tooth yesterday. It fell out during archery practice, and now there's this huge gap." She opened her mouth slightly, revealing the empty space. "The counselor said I need to see the camp dentist to make sure everything's okay, but Helen, I'm terrified! What if something's wrong? What if it hurts? What if—"

"Whoa, slow down," Helen said, squeezing her friend's shoulder. "Losing teeth is totally normal. We're supposed to lose baby teeth."

"But what if it wasn't a baby tooth?" Maya's voice rose to a squeak. "What if I'm losing my permanent teeth already? What if I knocked it out wrong and damaged my gums?"

Helen felt her own tongue unconsciously probe her teeth. She had one slightly loose tooth herself, but she hadn't thought much about it. Now, seeing Maya's panic, she realized this was serious.

"The dentist will just check it out," Helen said, trying to sound confident.

Maya shook her head, backing away. "I can't go in there. I just can't."