Site search
sponsored by
News
Sports
ENLARGE
Andrew Klope, 12, of Myrtle Creek gives the staff of dentist Alanson Randol a hand as they seal problem areas in his mouth. Klope and his family received free care as part of Donated Dental Day on Friday.
|
ENLARGE
|
Dentist Alanson Randol and dental assistant Whitney Culver work on Andrew Klope's teeth as part of Donated Dental Day. Two dozen dentists, their staff members and students from Umpqua Community College came together Friday in Roseburg to provide care for the uninsured.
|
Jennifer Klope of Myrtle Creek woke up at 2:30 a.m. and started getting her husband and two sons ready. She wanted to be sure the Klopes, who are without insurance, were able to receive dental care during the 10th annual Donated Dental Day.
More than two dozen dentists throughout the county opened their office doors Friday to low-income children and adults to provide free services and education. A handful also joined Umpqua Community College dental assistant students and other volunteers in the predawn screening in the St. Joseph Catholic Church school gymnasium.
More than 140 appointments were dished out on a first-come, first-served basis. Patients began arriving at 4 a.m. for the 7 a.m. screening and were shuttled from a table for paperwork through a diagnosis room and then to a scheduling area with color-coded boards organizing which patients would see what dentists through the day.
“It gave me a good feeling to see people in need of help and be able to help,” said dental student Lori Hanner. “It was worth getting up at 5 a.m.”
Hanner herself was laid off from Roseburg Forest Products five years ago, and has been without insurance ever since. After screening patients, Hanner was able to get a late afternoon appointment for herself — after she lent her skills to others for the day.
“I am glad to be a part of it,” Hanner said. “I have been without insurance and I know how important (dental care) is.”
David Sutton, a Roseburg dentist, opened his practice on his scheduled day off for a full day of appointments. He sees many people in need of extractions because their teeth are damaged beyond repair.
People are generally very appreciative, he said, because they have been living in pain without dental care.
“I think that with the economy the way it is, with so many people having a hard time, anything we can do to help alleviate the burden of health care is one of the finest things we can do for the community,” Sutton said.
Andrew Klope, one of Jennifer Klope's sons, said he has been waiting for dental care. He and his brother received preventive care for cavities and a lesson on how to keep their mouths healthy.
“The floss hurt the worse,” Andrew Klope said, still lying in a chair in the office of dentist Alanson Randol in Roseburg.
Randol and his staff helped organize the annual event, which has racked up $325,000 worth of free dental care in the previous 9 years.
“By getting everyone together you get a significant impact in one day,” Randol said. In his office alone, dozens of staff members, students and two visiting dentists kept patients filing through the chairs all day without taking home a penny.
Tamara Loosli, an instructor for UCC's dental program, has worked with Diane Bower, who schedules appointments for Randol, at Donated Dental Day since its inception. Loosli and Bower helped match those in need of care with available appointments. Dentists really stepped up this year by accepting many patients, Loosli said, and no one was turned away.
“People were so happy,” Loosli said. “It is so rewarding to have people come in ... they are so grateful and gracious it is just a fun thing to do.”
• You can reach reporter Heather Morse at 541-957-4208 or by e-mail at hmorse@nrtoday.com.
More than two dozen dentists throughout the county opened their office doors Friday to low-income children and adults to provide free services and education. A handful also joined Umpqua Community College dental assistant students and other volunteers in the predawn screening in the St. Joseph Catholic Church school gymnasium.
More than 140 appointments were dished out on a first-come, first-served basis. Patients began arriving at 4 a.m. for the 7 a.m. screening and were shuttled from a table for paperwork through a diagnosis room and then to a scheduling area with color-coded boards organizing which patients would see what dentists through the day.
“It gave me a good feeling to see people in need of help and be able to help,” said dental student Lori Hanner. “It was worth getting up at 5 a.m.”
Hanner herself was laid off from Roseburg Forest Products five years ago, and has been without insurance ever since. After screening patients, Hanner was able to get a late afternoon appointment for herself — after she lent her skills to others for the day.
“I am glad to be a part of it,” Hanner said. “I have been without insurance and I know how important (dental care) is.”
David Sutton, a Roseburg dentist, opened his practice on his scheduled day off for a full day of appointments. He sees many people in need of extractions because their teeth are damaged beyond repair.
People are generally very appreciative, he said, because they have been living in pain without dental care.
“I think that with the economy the way it is, with so many people having a hard time, anything we can do to help alleviate the burden of health care is one of the finest things we can do for the community,” Sutton said.
Andrew Klope, one of Jennifer Klope's sons, said he has been waiting for dental care. He and his brother received preventive care for cavities and a lesson on how to keep their mouths healthy.
“The floss hurt the worse,” Andrew Klope said, still lying in a chair in the office of dentist Alanson Randol in Roseburg.
Randol and his staff helped organize the annual event, which has racked up $325,000 worth of free dental care in the previous 9 years.
“By getting everyone together you get a significant impact in one day,” Randol said. In his office alone, dozens of staff members, students and two visiting dentists kept patients filing through the chairs all day without taking home a penny.
Tamara Loosli, an instructor for UCC's dental program, has worked with Diane Bower, who schedules appointments for Randol, at Donated Dental Day since its inception. Loosli and Bower helped match those in need of care with available appointments. Dentists really stepped up this year by accepting many patients, Loosli said, and no one was turned away.
“People were so happy,” Loosli said. “It is so rewarding to have people come in ... they are so grateful and gracious it is just a fun thing to do.”
• You can reach reporter Heather Morse at 541-957-4208 or by e-mail at hmorse@nrtoday.com.
