Volunteers at Dentist’s With a Heart event provide dental care to under-insured

Thu, 02/21/2019 - 12:15pm

ROCKLAND — Oral health has a significant impact on a person’s overall health, self-confidence, and employ-ability, according to Knox Clinic, in a news release. What would you do if your teeth were severely decayed, or missing? How could you find work, especially in our service-based economy? Many of our neighbors live with this challenge daily.

On February 15, several local dentists volunteered their services to bring smiles to Knox Clinic dental patients in honor of Valentine’s Day. Thanks to their efforts, patients experienced relief from infection and pain, according to the release. A new smile can also cosmetically enhance their job opportunities, and build self-confidence, creating the potential for greater self-sufficiency.

The Knox Clinic serves the uninsured and under-insured whose income is 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines or less. Dental patients are typically between 2 to 60 years old. Some dental patients are on MaineCare, especially the children, as there are few dentists who accept MaineCare locally, according to the Knox Clinic.

The vast majority of the patients work, however they do not receive dental insurance through their employer, and they can’t afford to purchase insurance privately.

Participating dentists in Dentists with a Heart include doctors William Barbour, Amy Campbell, Michael Hersom, Ben Lacy from Glen Cove Dental Associates, and doctors David Pier, from Mount Pleasant Dental Care, and Singer, and David Theriault.

These offices cared for patients in severe need of dental care who had no other access to affordable treatment, and in many cases their entire staff volunteered to make it happen. Together they donated more than $14,000 dollars worth of dental care to local residents, the Clinic said.

Local cupcake and party supply store Laugh Loud Smile Big donated two dozen tasty cupcakes to help the Knox Clinic thank the volunteer dental offices.

“Many thanks to Laugh Loud Smile Big, to the dentists and their staff, and to the many supporters and volunteers who make our work possible throughout the year!” the Clinic said.

The Knox Clinic is a volunteer based nonprofit advocating for and providing free/low cost medical, dental, prescription assistance, mental health and wellness services to the uninsured and underinsured in Knox County, plus bordering towns.

“We believe everyone deserves access to quality care!” said the Clinic.

To make a tax-deductible donation, to volunteer, or to request services, call 921-6996, or visit the website at www.knoxclinic.org.