Joanne Bennett, a 45-year-old mother from Darlington, was left with missing teeth, unstable remaining teeth, and chronic jaw pain after a brutal mistaken identity assault in 2012. She opened her front door to a man she believed was a police officer, only to be punched twice in the face. A neighbour found her unconscious, and she was rushed to hospital with a broken jaw. The attacker, a nearby resident under the influence, mistook her for his partner.
Long-term physical and psychological impact
Bennett lost three lower front teeth and now takes medication for nerve pain in her jaw. She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and continues therapy for the trauma. The attack has left her with a floating jaw, constant clenching, and migraines. She wears a removable palate with false teeth that falls out 50 to 70 times daily, requiring frequent re-gluing. The device causes sores and gum disease, and she struggles to eat solid foods, often opting for soft meals like pasta when dining out.
Desperate need for dental implants
Her dentist warned that without immediate intervention, she will lose all her teeth. The recommended treatment is dental implants, which cost approximately £17,000 in the UK. Unable to afford this, Bennett is raising £7,000 to undergo the procedure abroad. She has launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has so far raised over £350.
Bennett said: "It's just this horrible thing that's affected me and it still does. It's such a long time ago and I've only just started to talk about it. I'm in constant pain. I can't even look at myself without teeth in my mouth. Most of the time I don't leave my house by myself. I get nervous when I go anywhere new. The dentist said 'This needs doing now or you're going to have no teeth'. I was devastated. Your smile is the hello to the world. This would be life changing. I would be able to look in the mirror and not be ashamed. I'd be able to eat something and go for a meal and not worry about them coming out. It would mean the world."
Attack and aftermath
The assault occurred in 2012 while Bennett lived near North Road in Darlington. She woke up in Darlington Memorial Hospital, where she remained for at least a week. She recalled: "I remember feeling my mouth because it was so swollen. It just felt big and numb. I definitely felt my teeth weren't there. My jaw was now floating." The attacker was under the influence and had mistaken her for his partner. Bennett continues to suffer from chronic pain, jaw stiffness, and migraines, and her remaining teeth are unstable. Full dentures are not an option as they would not fit her jaw, making implants the only viable solution.
