BRATTLEBORO — Some 170 folks in Windham County took advantage of the Free Adult Dental Care Days held in early May, striking extractions, fillings, and X-rays from their to-do lists.
According to event organizer Carmen Derby, executive director of United Way of Windham County, such procedures helped save teeth that might otherwise have been lost to dental caries.
The event was made possible by what Derby characterizes as the highly successful collaboration of the United Way of Windham County and participating Windham County dentists at nine sites working together to improve dental health here.
Some $75,000 in services was donated in May, Derby said, adding that dental professionals have donated $253,000 in time and services over the program's three-year run.
The event was so well received, Derby said, the program has now been replicated in Bennington, Rutland, Burlington, and Randolph.
“This is an excellent example of meeting our collective goals of improving the health and access to health care,” Derby said.
In a new educational program as part of Free Adult Dental Care Days this year, participants learned how to improve their eating habits, discussed the effect of sugar on their dental health, and watched a video about dental health care.
Free Adult Dental Care Days' partners included Northeast Delta Dental, Mount Snow, the Brattleboro Elks Lodge, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and its auxiliary, Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Rescue, Inc., and Vermont 2-1-1.
In-kind donations from C&S, Gouger's Market, and the Vermont County Deli fed and supplied the participants and volunteers.
Derby said dozens of community members volunteered for triage, including 18 on the medical side and another 18 non-medical volunteers coordinating the flow of participants, for more than 125 volunteer-hours combined.
Some recipients were inspired to sign up to volunteer at other United Way events throughout the year, Derby said.
Participating Windham County practices include Dental Health, Dr. Suzanne West, Dr. Janet Zinter, 1st Advantage Dental, Estey Dental Center, Connecticut Valley Oral Surgery, Dr. Robert Ruhl, Dr. Louis Beaudette, West River Family Dental, and the Brattleboro Walk In Clinic.
Additional assistance was provided by Dr. Peter Abell, Dr. Lance Miller, Dr. Timothy Shafer, and Dr. Tom Chadwick.
Derby said patients at dental offices throughout Windham County will soon be able to support dental care for low-income adults by making contributions at their dentist's office. Look for a collection box to make a donation, or visit www.unitedwaywindham.org.