Dental clinic fills gap for the low income

Business Today

POPLAR BLUFF -- Many people do not have access to regular dental appointments because they are Medicaid recipients or they can't afford to pay. In order to tackle this problem, the Ozark Foothills Dental Clinic was established two years ago.

"The clinic's purpose is to provide care to Medicaid recipients and indigents," said Regional Planning Commission executive director Don Bell.

In November 1999, the dental clinic opened with one dentist and one dental assistant. The two dental-care rooms were filled with equipment that was donated by local dentists.

The clinic offers a full range of dental services, including check-ups, fillings, X-rays, fluoride treatments, extractions and root canals. Located at 1617 N. Main St., the clinic services residents of Butler, Wayne, Carter, Reynolds and Ripley counties.

The Ozark Foothills Healthcare Consortium, comprised of hospitals, dentists and agencies who have clients that need dental care, sponsors the clinic, and the Regional Planning Commission administers it. AHEC has been involved with the planning and implementation of the clinic since the beginning.

According to Bell, the Planning Commission received much help from community dentists and local organizations. Major funding was provided by the state Department of Health, Butler County Caring Communities, Butler County Health Center, Department of Health and Human Services and AHEC.

The staff of one dentist, two dental assistants and one receptionist serves about 4,000 patients a year, and is currently booking appointments into June.

"We have a very big demand," said Dr. Stephen Waller.

Waller, from Kansas City, has been practicing since 1974 and joined the clinic when it opened. He had been planning to take time off from dentistry when he was contacted by the committee.

"They asked if I would be interested in the position," Waller said. "I thought it would be rewarding. So many people need it. We've been taking patients who haven't received dental care in years and fixing their teeth to get them in healthy condition again."

Waller said the clinic would like to add another dentist and equip a van to reach those who can't make it to the office.