DEAR SUN SPOTS: This letter is to address misinformation in your June 27 column concerning dental hygienists and dentists. First, I would like to point out that independent practice dental hygienists have existed according to state law here in Maine for the past three years.

Indeed, Main Street Dental Hygiene in Mexico is well within your circulation area and has openings for new patients. Timely referrals to local dental practices are a mainstay of this practice and mandated by Maine law.

Also, with regard to dental practice hours, your readers should know that many dentists offer Friday hours. The Centers for Community Dental Health, which are nonprofit dental clinics, accepting all new patients, are conveniently located in Farmington, Rumford and Lewiston, also are within your circulation area and are open Fridays. — Jerrold H. Cohen, DMD, past president, Maine State Board of Dental Examiners

ANSWER: Mea culpa! Sun Spots dreads making any errors and is always very sorry to do so. On the bright side, readers who correct her often offer excellent additional information not easily available to Sun Spots. (However, this does not mean she will start making intentional mistakes!)

The information on the nonprofit dental clinics in the region should be particularly useful to readers.

Read on for more information on the topic.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am the practice manager of an independent dental hygiene practice in Mexico, Maine. Your June 27 column concerning the lack of available dentists in the state has done a great disservice to the 29 practicing independent dental hygienists of Maine.

In May 2008, the state of Maine passed a law allowing the practice of independent dental hygiene. Maine is one of a handful of states allowing independent hygienists.

Let me explain how the process works. A patient is seen for his or her preventative care. During the visit, an oral inspection is performed. Should the hygienist discover any areas of concern, the patient is then given a list of referral dentists to choose from.

Once that choice is made, the practice manager will call and make the appointment while the patient is still in the office. Our referral network covers the entire scope of dentistry. Our services are covered by most major insurance companies.

Our hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays, 7:15 a.m. to 2 p.m.

I would like to welcome anyone who has questions regarding our practice to call me at 364-1480.

And yes, No Name in Wilton, we are accepting new patients. — Ray Doherty, Main Street Dental Hygiene, 131 Main St., Mexico, ipdhmexico@aol.com

ANSWER: Again, Sun Spots offers her sincerest apology. This is clearly one case where the Internet has not kept up with the current regulations.

She hopes, however, that this chance to set the record straight allows you to get the word out to many potential clients!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I wrote to you in April looking for a lady who had done my floors years ago.

I’m pretty sure I got the right one. Her name is Karen Bailey (740-5050). She just did my floors the “old-fashioned way,” on her hands and knees, and did a wonderful job. I will certainly have her again.

She does windows, weekly housekeeping, fall or spring cleaning, and she charges only $30 an hour. I wish I had known about her when I came out of the hospital.

Thanks a lot, Sun Spots. You are truly a Godsend. — J-G, No Town

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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