A second group of Springfield dentists will offer free adult dental care for a day.
Seven dentists and 40 other employees from Heartland Dental Care offices in Springfield plan to volunteer their services to anyone 18 and older, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 18 at West Side Dental Care, 2633 Chatham Road.
Treatment will be done on a first-come, first-served basis.
"We just thought, 'What a great way to serve our community,'" said Sarah Spillman, a marketing coordinator for West Side Dental.
The Heartland Dental Care effort is modeled after the "Dentistry from the Heart" program that began in 2001 at a dentist's office in New Port Richey, Fla. That dentist, Vincent Monticciolo, has since joined Heartland Dental Care, an Effingham-based management group with more than 250 dental practices in 14 states.
The Springfield dentists expected to provide free services Sept. 18 are Shawn May and Michael Duffy of West Side Dental, April Kennedy of Springfield Dental Care, Jeffrey Whiteside of Dental Group of Springfield, Grace Cheng of 21st Century Dental, Oluleke Jeboda of Affordable Dentistry and Brett Spalding of Montvale Dental.
"Now more than ever, there are people in Springfield who need dental services but have no means to afford them - whether they're out of a job or just don't have dental insurance," May said.
Springfield's first "Dentistry from the Heart" event was spearheaded by Advanced Dental Care dentist Matt VanderMolen on June 18.
VanderMolen, four other local dentists and about 40 other volunteers provided more than $42,000 worth of free dental care to 137 adults, some of whom camped out overnight at VanderMolen's dental office on Springfield's west side.
The Heartland dentists expect to provide cleanings, X-rays, examinations, fillings and extractions for about 200 people, Spillman said. Crowns, bridges and dentures won't be provided.
She said the dentists plan to conduct at least one free dental day every year from now on.
Duffy said the Heartland group is "committed to lifetime dental care, because good oral health is integral to overall health. By participating in this program, our goal is to engage patients and encourage them to adopt an ongoing oral-care program and a lifelong regimen of preventative care."
Because of time constraints, patients Sept. 18 won't be able to receive multiple services, Spillman said. Dentists will talk to patients about their most pressing dental needs, she said.
Portable toilets and refreshments will be available in the parking lot outside West Side Dental the day of the event.
Security guards will be present beginning at 3 a.m. Sept. 18 to maintain order. Prospective patients are expected to line up until at least 7:30 a.m., when numbers determining the order of service will be passed out, Spillman said.
Spillman is working with people and organizations that want to donate to the event. She can be reached at 698-8777. Donors so far include dentists William Groesch and Thomas Longos; Sonic Drive-In, 1312 W. Wabash Ave.; Panera Bread, 3019 S. Dirksen Parkway; Buffalo Wild Wings, Country Market; Crest; and Oral B.
Spillman said the dentists decided to focus on adults because affordable dental care for children is more commonly available in Springfield.
Most Springfield dentists, including those at the Heartland locations, don't accept Medicaid, and low-income adults without dental insurance have a hard time affording care.
Contributing to the situation is the fact that the publicly funded Capitol Community Health Center at 2239 E. Cook St. has severely restricted new dental appointments for adults for nearly two years. Center officials don't plan to expand access to adult dental service until late 2013, after a planned renovation of the center is complete.
Dean Olsen can be reached at 788-1543.
Photo: AP -- Dental instruments.
Dentistry from the Heart
When: 7:30 a.m. Sept. 18.
Where: West Side Dental Care, 2633 Chatham Road.
Services to be provided: Cleanings, X-rays, examinations, fillings and extractions. No crowns, bridges or dentures. One procedure per patient. People 18 and older only.
Cost: Free. First-come, first-served basis.
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