Five area dentists will open their office doors at 8 a.m. Friday to offer a day of free dental care, first-come, first-served for the fifth annual “Dentistry with a Heart” program.

At one office last year, Advanced Dentistry on Main Street in Auburn, patients started lining up at 5 a.m. Dentists Robert Limoges and Kevin Connelly and several hygienists saw 71 patients and donated more than $21,000 in services.

Dentist James Helmkamp is joining with his practice for the first time this year.

“It’ll be interesting. There could be lots of people at our door. We’ll try to get through whatever we can,” said Helmkamp, chairman of Maine Donated Dental Services.

In the past, dentists have worked on cleanings, fillings and referrals to a denturist and oral surgeons.

“Dentistry isn’t a No. 1 priority until you get a toothache many times,” Helmkamp said. “I think they say 50 percent of people with dental insurance don’t use it.”

Participating dentists:

• Dr. Robert Limoges and Dr. Kevin Connelly, 220 Main St., Auburn, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Dr. Peter Drews, 210 Sabattus St., Lewiston, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Dr. Scott Bernardy at Riverview Dental, 155 Center St., Auburn, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Dr. James Helmkamp, 227 Mt. Auburn Ave., Auburn, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.