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Camillus House News
PANKEY DENTAL ACCESS DAYS” AT CAMILLUS HOUSE PROVIDES FREE DENTAL CARE FOR HUNDREDS OF PERSONS WHO ARE POOR AND HOMELESS
March 6, 2009
The two-day dental clinic helped more than 150 persons who are homeless.
The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education and Camillus House Health Concern (CHC) provided free dental care to more than 150 individuals who are homeless during a two-day dental clinic this past January. The ambulatory dental clinic was held at the Camillus House shelter, located at 726 Northeast First Avenue.
Sponsored by the Health Foundation of South Florida, the ambulatory clinic is part of the recently launched “Pankey Dental Access Days” program in which Pankey-trained dentists from around the U.S. volunteer to bring free dental care to underserved citizens. The North Carolina-based initiative is led by National Program Director Dr. Keith Phillips. Dr. Phillips travels by truck and trailer, transporting the necessary equipment and supplies to set up the 10-chair clinic in each venue.
“This service delivery is a little unorthodox, but it allows us to go virtually anywhere in order to serve people in need,” said Dr. Phillips.
Two dozen dentists,19 dental assistants and nine dental hygienists, as well as 22 volunteers, worked in the two-day event at Camillus House. They performed more than $100,000 in dental work. These volunteers performed a number of procedures including, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals and CEREC CAD CAM restorations.
“I was impressed by how willing every dentist was to help with this two-day event,” said Ozzie Mayoral,” a Pinecrest dentist who helped organize the volunteer effort. “They left their games, soccer practice and time with their families to help the homeless.”
The Camillus dining room served as the stage for this ambulatory dental clinic..The patients were exclusively Camillus House clients and persons in the CHC Dental Program waiting list. “Serving individuals who have already been screened or who have begun dental services, either through the CHC program or through other dental clinic programs, helped maximize the impact of the Pankey Dental Access Days event among our client base,” explained Dr. Rosendo Collazo, Director of Health Services for Camillus Health Concern. “We are extremely grateful to collaborate with the Pankey Institute and bring excellent dental health care to our clients,” concluded Dr. Collazo.
“I’m very touched by everything Camillus House has been doing for us,” said Sidney, a Camillus client who had two decayed teeth removed at the clinic. “This program is a life saver.”
In addition to the Health Foundation of South Florida grant, other in-kind support was provided by Henry Schein, Inc., Heraeus Kulzer, Inc., Sirona Dental Systems, Pulpdent Corporation, and Patterson Dental.
Established in 1984, Camillus Health Concern provides adult primary health services, women’s preventive health services, pediatric care, dental care and a number of specialized services, including podiatry, and mental-health care to more than 5,000 men, women and children each year.
Founded in 1972, The Pankey Institute is a nonprofit organization in Key Biscayne, Florida promoting optimal oral health care through advanced continuing education for dentists (www.pankey.org). It was the first institute of its kind and it remains among the most prestigious organizations, attracting dentists from 43 nations to its educational programs. More than 20,000 dentists and specialists have attended its courses and serve millions of patients worldwide.
