Free dental services available throughout the Fox Valley

A young man in need of dental care last year may have had his life saved when he participated in a program offering free teeth cleaning.

He went for this routine checkup during the annual “Dentists With a Heart” program at Fairview Dental in Aurora — and a small lesion discovered in his mouth was later confirmed to be cancerous.

“It was caught in time and the patient was able to fully recover,” said Sue Rahn, of the Aurora Children's Dental Service, which sponsors and organizes the annual “Dentists With a Heart” program in which dentists throughout the Fox Valley provide free services for one day in February.

“Had he not received the free dental exam, it might not have been such a happy ending,” Rahn said.

Not every patient has such a serious problem that needs attention, but Rahn feels the example reinforces the importance of the program, which has provided more than $1 million in services to more than 3,500 patients since 2001.

The Valentine's Day themed program entering its 10th year next month provides free dental care to those who cannot afford it, either because of ongoing financial hardships or a recent loss of insurance benefits.

“It was Dr. Brian Tonner and his partner, Dr. Gary Ahasic, who first started the program in 2001, and they asked me two years later, as a registered agent with Aurora Children's Dental, if our organization would become the sponsor of the event,” Rahn said. “And we've been doing it ever since.”

Tonner said he first read about a similar event in Florida 10 years ago, and felt it would be a good program in the Fox Valley.

“That first year, it was just a matter of asking, ‘How is this going to work?'” Tonner said. “We decided the easiest way would be to open the doors one day and accept people on a first-come, first-serve basis.”

That first year, Tonner was able to convince about 20 other dentists in the Aurora area to participate, and the program has since expanded through the Tri-Cities, Elburn and Elgin with nearly 40 dentists participating.

Dr. Felicia Chu of Elgin has helped organize the dentists in her area the past two years, but has been involved in the program for five years.

“We do it a little differently here because we are a smaller office,” Chu said. “We schedule the patients ahead of time, and as soon as the story about the program comes out in the newspaper, it doesn't take more than a day or two to completely fill the schedule.”

Chu said her office provides routine cleanings, exams and extractions, hoping to address whatever may be bothering the patient.

Drs. Martin Kolinski and Tricia Crosby of St. Charles would be considered relative newcomers to the program, as their office will participate for the second year.

“It's a great program and an opportunity to give back to the community,” Kolinski said. “We just block out a part of a day and bring hygienists in and we try to do anything the patient needs or wants.”

Kolinski said their office cared for about 40 patients last year and provided about $7,000 in free treatments, basically cleaning teeth and providing exams.

“We don't do fillings here because it's a specialized office, but we can take care of an emergency treatment with extractions of broken teeth or others that are causing problems,” Kolinski said.

Participating dentists agree that, with the country mired in recession, the number of patients has increased the past three years.

“What we have seen with the current economic crisis is the need has gone deeper into the middle class,” Rahn said. “Folks who previously would never have found themselves in need of such services now do.

“Even if you happen to be fortunate enough to have dental insurance, the deductibles and amounts not covered by insurance can be more than the average worker's salary can cover.”

Tonner feels those who have recently lost insurance benefits are part of that increased demand.

“(Dental work) Is the first thing that gets cut from the budget when that happens,” Tonner said.

The doctors set their free-service date and hours of operation any time between Feb. 3-16, and establish a system for how they will schedule patients.

For Tonner, that means a numbering system that eliminates hours of waiting for the numerous patients who will show up on the designated day.

“The patients understand how this works and they are very appreciative of the service,” said Tonner, whose office will issue numbers to those standing in line so they can leave and come back later, rather than sit or stand for hours at the clinic.

Rahn is thankful for the participation of the dentists and their staffs in making the program possible.

“It is a huge commitment on their part,” Rahn said. “But I know those that have participated either by donating services or support monies come away with a great feeling of having made a difference for people less fortunate.”

Tonner echoed that sentiment, saying the “Dentists With a Heart” day is fully embraced by his staff.

“It is a really fun day because it is so different from other days,” Tonner said. “The staff gets just as much out of it as the patients because they know they are making a difference and an impact.”

Participating dentists

The following providers are offering free dental services on the dates and times indicated. No appointments are needed, and calls at the dentist offices will not be taken. Patients will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis. Services are limited to patients ages 3 and older and an adult must accompany anyone younger than 18. No proof of income or need is required. For details, visit dentistwithaheartonline.org or call Sue Rahn at (63o) 892-4260 (English) or Dee Rodriguez at (630) 906-9530 (Spanish).

<b>Feb. 3</b>

1 – 4 p.m.: Dr. Jim Garvin, 101 N. Lincoln St., Batavia

<b>Feb. 9</b>

8 a.m. to noon: Dr. Elizabeth Sacrey and Dr. Scott Capper, 328 Anderson Blvd., Geneva; Dr. Mark Weinhold, 1 E. County Line Road, Suite A, Sandwich; Boulder Hill Dental, Dr. Amita Raval and Dr. Mark Commean, 20 Boulder Hill Pass, Montgomery

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Young Dental Care, Dr. Kimberly Young and Dr. Cynthia Chen, 1132 Prairie St., Aurora

<b>Feb. 10</b>

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Fairview Dental, Dr. Gary Ahasic, Dr. Larry Sexton, Dr. Brian Tonner, Dr. Michele Bruno and Dr. Don Flynn, 541 Sullivan Road, Aurora

<b>Feb. 11</b>

7 a.m. — noon: Prairie Dental, Dr. Mary Parkhurst, 2424 W. Indian Trail, Aurora

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Prairie Dental, Dr. Linda Weglarz, 2424 W. Indian Trail, Aurora

8 a.m. — noon, 1 — 3 p.m.: (will do extractions): Waters Dental Group, Dr. John Waters and Dr. Adam Winckler, 420 E. Church St., Sandwich

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Dr. Andrea Adam, 40W320 La Fox Road, Suite D, St. Charles

9 a.m. to noon: Dr. Khaja Mohsinuddin, 2460 S. Eola Road, Aurora

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Dr. Erika Krouth, 1128 Douglas Road, Oswego

<b>Feb. 14</b>

8 a.m. — 2 p.m.: Bancroft Family Dental, Dr. Mark Bancroft, 1940 W. Galena Blvd., Suite 7, Aurora

8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Dr. Richard Bertoglio, Dr. Jess Bertoglio and Dr. Julie Keilty, 1940 W. Galena, Suite 11, Aurora

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Dr. Narda Coronado, 454 N. Lake St., Aurora

9 a.m. – noon, 1:30 — 5 p.m.: Pauly Family Dental Group, Dr. James Pauly and Dr. Gina Jacobson, 1940 W. Galena Blvd., Suite 10, Aurora

<b>Feb. 15</b>

8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Celebrating Smiles, Dr. Felicia Chu, 750 Fletcher Drive, Suite 302, Elgin (advance appointments accepted)

1 – 5 p.m.: Periodontist services by referral only, Dr. Frank Maggio, 2000 Larkin Ave., Elgin

<b>Feb. 16</b>

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Dr. Richard Chroust (no cleanings), 1217 Oak St., North Aurora; Dr. Michael Montminy, 201 N. Constitution, Aurora

9 a.m. – 6 p.m.: (exams, cleanings, extractions): Dr. Martin Kolinski and Dr. Tricia Crosby, 525 Tyler Road, Suite E, St. Charles

1 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Dr. Robert Davidson, 708 N. Main St., Elburn