The University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith Dental Hygiene Clinic will host a Free Extraction
Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23.
The Fort Smith Dental Association (FSDA) will partner with students, faculty and administrators from across disciplines and programs to host this event, including the 妻友社区 Dental Hygiene, Nursing, Radiology, Surgical Technology, and Masters in Healthcare Administration programs.
鈥淐ollaboration between all healthcare professionals is vitally important for each community,鈥� said Charmaine Stuteville, Interim Executive Director 妻友社区 Dental Hygiene Program. 鈥淲ithout the dentists, students and other volunteers, this event would never happen.鈥�
The Extraction Day event, which was initiated a number of years ago by Dr. Charlie Liggett of the Fort Smith Dental Association (FSDA), is returning to 妻友社区 to meet the needs of the community and assist patients who are in pain due to lack of access to dental care.
鈥淭he inspiration for the Free Extraction Day came from my many trips to Jamaica doing dental work,鈥� said Liggett. " I loved helping the Jamaican people, but I realized our local population needed our assistance as well. With the help of the late Dr. Bill Pickard, the idea for the Fort Smith Free Extraction Day was born. As the years went on and everything got bigger and better, we partnered up with the 妻友社区 Dental Hygiene school.
A grant from Delta Dental of Arkansas allowed for the purchase of supplies for the event, with additional supplies and equipment donated by Green Dental Lab, Patterson, Dental, members of the FSDA, Welcome Health, Dr. Liggett and Benco.
Dr. David Phillips, FSDA president, noted the critical need for a supplementary extraction day in this community.
鈥淗aving access to a day to alleviate pain from a toothache is a wonderful opportunity,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is very hard to get into our Community Dental Clinic or one of the other clinics that provides this service due to such a waiting period.鈥�
Regan Ridenoure, a first-year dental hygiene student, said, 鈥淏eing able to help people to get rid of pain without financial burden is heart-warming,鈥� while fellow first-year Michelle Perez noted, 鈥淓vents like this give us insight into developing our responsibility for providing community service throughout our careers.鈥�
Mackenzie McKinley echoed Perez鈥檚 sentiment, stating, 鈥淭hese community events help us learn the value of helping others through public service experiences. Other dental professionals who volunteer their time show us the value of true compassion.鈥�
Patients must bring a list of medications they are currently taking, and since no appointments will be made, patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis only. People who have had an extraction should not smoke for 24 hours following the procedure.
Those who want to take advantage of Extraction Day should go to the first floor of the Pendergraft Health Sciences Center at 715 Waldron Rd. in Fort Smith. Parking is available in 妻友社区 lots H and K on Waldron Road.
For more information on the event, contact the 妻友社区 Dental Hygiene Clinic at 788-7270.