Published: May 13, 2009 07:54 pm      

Free dental services offered

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The United Way and a group of local dentists will be offering free services to financially strapped county residents who do not have insurance or Medicaid next month as part of the United Way Day of Action.

The nation-wide annual event is being held for the first time in the King City and United Way of South Central Illinois Executive Director Rhonda McCowen said the community dental need is the focus.

“We know there’s a community need for dental care in our county,” she explained. “There’s only one dentist that accepts Medicaid and often I get calls from people in need of dental care, so this has been on the United Way Board’s mind for a while.”

Board members Mike Beard and Don Fairchild has enlisted the help of Dr. Allen D. Fry of Dental Arts in Mt. Vernon, who has spearheaded a committee of dentists willing to offer free services for extractions and fillings the week of June 15 through 18. The services will be limited to 50 residents.

“I was basically asked if I was interested in doing this and I had the opportunity during Hurricane Katrina to help refugees,” Fry noted. “It was really a great thing for them and us. I’m just a firm believer that we need to take care of the people here at home.”

Though the annual United Way Day of Action is typically scheduled for June 21, the longest day of the year, McCowen said in order to help the community, the local board decided to hold the event the previous week.

Beginning Friday, applications will be available on the United Way’s Web site, McCowen said, and once the 50 residents have been chosen to receive services, a medical screening will take place from 1 to 4:30 p.m. June 3 at the First United Methodist Church. During June 15 through 19, patients will then be seen at the participating dentists’ offices.

Nine local dentists, including Fry, will be donating their time to provide services: Keith Wilcox and Michael Hiner of Dental Group of Mt. Vernon; Duane Davis and Bruce Thackery of Dental Arts; Lincoln Woodrome, Roger Woodrome and Tyson Tinsley; and George Neal.

Fry said all area dentists were willing to participate, but not all were available due to scheduling conflicts.

“These doctors are putting [patients] in the middle of their schedule,” Beard said. “Dr. Fry has made it easy for us [to help the community]. It’s nice to be able to do that.”

McCowen added that in Jefferson County alone, there are about 3,000 Medicaid open cases waiting in Springfield to be processed for services.

“So in this community, you can see people are going without services,” she said. “We know our Day of Action can’t take care of all dental needs, but part of this is to bring awareness and sometimes things like this can help create long-term solutions.”

To fill out an application, visit the United Way’s Web site at http://www.uw-sci.org/. You may also contact McCowen for more information at 242-8000.