Area dentists volunteer free day of dentistry, first come, first served

Last year, the line started around 6 on a freezing cold February morning. Advanced Dentistry's doors didn't open for two hours; people were that anxious to get in on the offer of free dental care.

In one day the Main Street Auburn practice saw 80 people and donated $22,000 in time and materials.

The scene: "Busy, crazy and rewarding," said Lisa Minkowsky, patient care coordinator.

For this, the fourth year of "Dentistry with a Heart" - named because it's close to Valentine's Day - Advanced Dentistry's Robert Limoges asked dentist friends to join he and Kevin Connelly with their practices.

Maurice Convey at Oxford Hills Dental Associates in Norway and Scott Bernardy at Riverview Dental Associates in Auburn said yes.

On Feb. 8, all three offices will offer free services like cleanings, fillings and simple extractions on a first come, first served basis. They'll also give referrals, as needed, to volunteer oral surgeons.

Doors open at 8 a.m. at both Auburn offices, at 8:30 in Oxford Hills. Prospective patients will put their name on a sign-up sheet as soon as they come in the door. Minkowsky said they've treated mainly adults in the past since low-income children often have access to dental coverage through MaineCare.

Since "we try to see as many people as possible, we don't try to do a lot of teeth per patient. So we do their worst problems," Minkowsky said. "The thing that I think is most rewarding is to get a lot of these people out of pain."

Staff at the three practices are also donating their time.

"(Dr. Bernardy) thought it was something we could do for the community. He's hoping it'll give us a good feeling inside," said Linda Hoffman, office manager at Riverview Dental Associates.

"There are so many people out there that have fallen on hard times, there's a divorce, there's a death in the family, and they need dental work and they just have no where to go," because they don't have the money, she said.

Whether it's giving a family discount or charging a little less when they know someone can't afford a procedure, "Most dentists in the state do a little bit of volunteer work on a daily basis," said Convey.

Go and do

What: Dentists and hygienists volunteering services for free emergency dentistry:

Cleanings, fillings, simple extractions and referrals, if needed, to oral surgeons also donating their time.

When: Feb. 8 (hours vary by location)

Where: Advanced Dentistry, 220 Main St., Auburn, 8 a.m.-noon, 1-4:30 p.m; Riverview Dental Associates, 155 Center St., Auburn, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Oxford Hills Dental Associates, 232 Main St., Norway, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

How: First come, first served. Lines form early.