Glen Ellyn dentists join national effort to treat those in need
A small painting full of meaning hangs on the wall of Glen Ellyn Family Dental Care.
Regardless of its impact on the office's decor, it is a daily reminder for the doctors that some people suffer through the pain of cavities and more because they can't afford dental care.
A grateful patient presented the artwork to thank dental partners Steve Biagini, Mark Beck and Theresa Jansky for treatment received during a free dental clinic the practice offered.
The practice, located on Roosevelt Road west of Route 53, will offer another day of free dental work to those in need Sunday, Nov. 21, as part of Dentistry from the Heart, a national effort organizing similar events in 48 states during the next year.
“It's a blessing to have the opportunity to give back,” Beck said. “We are in a service providing health care that is sometimes difficult to access. It's a way to give back and it's rewarding for us.”
From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, the doctors will see as many patients on a first-come, first-served basis as they can and offer free exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions.
The office's 22 staff members will volunteer their time for the day, as will an oral surgeon from Wheaton.
“It's a great day for them to experience this,” Jansky said. “It's important to do this, especially with the way things have been in the economy.”
“It's amazing that something as simple as this can have that much of an impact,” Beck said.
Biagini said they often see patients who just cannot afford the bills. While they do what they can to work with patients, Biagini said the free days give them a chance to alleviate some people's pain, possibly recommend follow-up sessions, and just give people down on their luck some relief.
“We get people from all reaches of life,” he said. “We see people struggling all the time. But we will fix as many cavities as we possibly can that day.”
Even without the structure provided by the national sponsor, previous events have been so successful that the doctors say they rarely had a chance to catch their breath.
But that's OK with Beck.
“Everybody left feeling like they accomplished something wonderful,” he said. “That is a gift that we carried with us for a long time.”
If you go
<P><B>.What: </B>Dentistry from the Heart day of free dental care</P>
<P><B>Where: </B>Glen Ellyn Family Dental Care, 658 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn</P>
<P><B>When:</B> 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21</P>
<P><B>Details: </B>Free care is for those in financial need; limited to 50 patients and certain procedures
Info: (630) 858-0216 or glenellynfamilydental.com</P>