On June 30, the dental community of Lawton, combined with the efforts of the First Baptist Church, came together for a common cause: giving back.
Four local dentists, two dental hygienists and two dental assistants donated their expertise to help those in need in Lawton. Drs. Phillip Aday, C. Todd Bridges, Wuse Cara and Joe Harris, hygienists Dawn Ferguson and April Ryswyk, and assistants Carole Griffin and Cassie Holton spent a combined effort of 24.25 hours treating 37 Patients in four chairs – two on the mobile unit, and two portable chairs provided by Dr. Aday.
By the end of the day, a total of $9,667 in free dental work was provided. Some volunteers are continuing further gratis treatment inside their offices, making sure the patient’s full oral health is addressed properly.
Dr. Aday, general dentist of Lawton and member of First Baptist, was on the planning committee for a huge community outreach week planned by the church every summer. The church was interested in providing services the surrounding community could not easily access due to time or resources. Dr. Aday contacted the Foundation to schedule the Mobile Unit in Lawton and recruited area dental professionals to volunteer.
The church’s week of giving consisted of several projects. Free home repairs and car washes for the surrounding community, which Dr. Aday identified as low-income, and many other services were provided by church members.
The culmination of the week consisted of several community services hosted at the church. Free haircuts, clothing and winter coat drive, free dental and medical treatment, among other services, were provided.
The culmination of the week consisted of several community services hosted at the church. Free haircuts, clothing and winter coat drive, free dental and medical treatment, among other services, were provided.
Dr. Aday spearheaded the dental project and volunteered to pre-screen and write up treatment plans for candidates three to four weeks prior. “Even though we have a monthly free extraction clinic in Lawton, there is no free clinic for restorative care here. The need is great,” Dr. Aday said.
As a volunteer at the extraction clinic, Dr. Aday has witnessed many people come to the clinic asking for teeth to be pulled when a filling would do the job. The patients would rather have a tooth extracted than pay out of pocket expenses for a filling without insurance, or even with SoonerCare. The mobile dental unit was able to address an access issue Lawton faces by providing free preventative and restorative care.
“It was a true pleasure to provide care to those who can’t afford it,” said Dr. Bridges, a first time volunteer on the mobile dental unit.
The volunteers and participating church members were very pleased with how the week of giving turned out, and will plan for next year. The day went better than planned, and they hope to host the mobile dental unit again.
“I would highly recommend volunteering on the mobile dental unit," said Dr. Aday. "You will probably come away pretty tired at the end of the day, but extremely blessed and gratified by the experience."
The Mobile Dental Unit will return to Lawton September 28 & 29 with the Comanche Nation
