DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am currently unemployed and do not qualify for MaineCare, so I need some information on low-cost dental care.

Could you please help me? It would be very much appreciated. — No Name, Lisbon

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for the address and times that a person can have work done on their teeth at a dental school for free. Any help would be appreciated. — No Name, Poland

ANSWER: Dental care — or rather the lack of it — has been an ongoing issue in Maine. In 2010 the Legislature authorized a $3.5 million state bond and Northeast Delta Dental donated $2.3 million toward a dental school, the first in northern New England, at the University of New England.

According to an August Bangor Daily News story, “Maine needs about 200 new dentists in the next decade to keep pace with today’s already stretched services, as 40 percent of the state’s practicing dentists are nearing retirement, according to the Pew Children’s Dental Campaign.”

The new dental school will accept its first class this fall and expects to begin seeing patients early in 2014.

Until then, Sun Spots has a couple of ideas. The Centers for Community Dental Health, which are nonprofit dental clinics, have three offices locally, in Farmington (779-2659), Rumford (369-3600) and Lewiston (777-7442). 

On the website is this statement: “Community Dental provides access to dental health treatment, disease prevention and education to all people of Maine. Our dedicated staff and volunteers believe that every child, adult and senior deserves the opportunity to experience quality, affordable dental care throughout their lives.”

Sun Spots suggests you call the office closest to you and see what arrangements for payment would be acceptable.

Also, there is a coupon for $50 off for new patients at the website (www.communitydentalme.org). They may give you the discount even if you don’t have a computer on which to print the coupon.

Lastly, some very nice dentists in the region periodically open their doors for a free day of dentistry. Dentistry with a Heart has sponsored such an event for the last couple of years in May, so watch the Sun Journal for a notice of the next free day.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Part of this celebration includes creating a timeline wall that will be on permanent display on campus. The wall will consist of photos, documents and artifacts that will exhibit the history of the college.

We would be very interested to consider including any images the community may have — especially if anyone has images of when the building used to be the Central Maine Tennis and Racquetball facility. Perhaps someone has images of playing tennis here? Anything related to the building and the campus would be appreciated.

People may share their images by contacting me by phone, 753-6575, or email, philbrick@usm.maine.edu. All original images will be returned to donors. Thank you! — Dan Philbrick, director of communications, USM-LAC, 51 Westminster St., Lewiston, ME 04240

REMINDER FOR LETTER WRITERS: You must sign your letter to Sun Spots and provide at least one of the three forms of contact: email, phone number or mailing address. Sun Spots is more than willing to withhold your name, but she has to know it first. Sadly, this week four letter writers put time and effort into letters that will not appear in the column because they didn’t follow this rule.

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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link