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Most people cringe at the sound of a dentist's drill, but for 40 people in Utah County who've wanted to see a dentist for a long time and couldn't afford it, the drill may actually be soothing.
Starr Stratford, with Community Health Connection, said, "If you have dental pain, it is not fun, and a lot of these people have been suffering for awhile, and a lot of people out in the community are too because of the need for dental care in our community."
Community Health Connect is a nonprofit organization based in Utah County which helps coordinate doctors and dentists who are willing to help low-income patients with health care. Vlanca is a patient who has had tooth pain for several months but could not afford to have her two cavities filled. She says, "I think a lot of us have specific situations in our lives, and this program has helped us a lot and that means a lot to me personally."
Today, dentists and dental assistants from Genesis Dental filled cavities and even performed root canals.
The need for this type of charity work keeps growing as more people lose health insurance or can't afford the care they need. Stratford says, "With insurance the way it is, with the economy the way it is, it is just going to grow. There are a lot of people who don't have dental care or access to it, so this is a great way to serve the community."
The generosity of these dental professionals today means, for once, you will actually see people smiling as they leave the dentist.
Not only did the dentists from Genesis Dental provide the care for free, but they are donating what they would have earned to charity.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
