A brilliant blue sky and bright sun provided a spectacular backdrop for Speare Memorial Hospital’s 17th Annual Golf Classic that took place on June 11, supporting the Dental Health Program. Nearly 200 golfers teed up for the event held at Owl’s Nest Resort & Golf Club in Campton, helping to raise over $29,500 for the program this year.
“The golf tournament was a huge success,” enthused Julie DeGalan, coordinator of the Golf Classic and Speare’s director of development. “This event raises one fourth of the budget for the Dental Health Program, and is made possible by the many sponsors, donors, players and volunteers. We received so many positive comments about the tournament and are grateful to all who participated, especially our Golf Classic Sponsor Plymouth General Dentistry and Dr. Joan Kirschner.”
While everyone was all smiles on this day, the Dental Health Program Hygienist Ruth Doane reminded everyone that preserving smiles was the goal of the program. She shared an example, “I had a toddler this past year that I was seeing as part of our partnership with Plymouth Pediatrics. He had some pretty extensive decay and I referred him to Children’s Dentistry of the Lakes Region. I got a call from the mom who was worried about the need for general anesthesia in order to clean up the decay. I had to reassure her it was standard procedure and with a patient that young, the best approach. “
“It reminded me,” Ruth continued, “that the relationship is with the whole family, not just the patient, and helping them get through a difficult situation. Mom called me after everything was done to say how pleased she was with the outcome. We identified a serious issue before it became acute and caused the child discomfort. Had we not had this program and the cooperative relationship with Plymouth Pediatrics, this situation may have had a very different outcome.”
The Dental Health Program works in collaboration with School Administrative Unit 48, the Ashland, Lin-Wood and Warren School Districts, Plymouth Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Plymouth OB/GYN, and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program. Services include free dental screenings and fluoride varnish applications. Dental cleanings and sealants are offered to school-age children on a sliding fee scale and to at-risk pregnant women and the homeless. However, no one is denied service because of inability to pay. Children who are in pain from decay and infection are referred for restorative care. Case management and financial counseling/assistance are also provided.
