Don’t tell these folks they can’t open a free dental clinic

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
Talking about the good news – From left, Dr. Lawrence Gilliard, medical director at Good Samaritan Health Clinic, Chantell Martin, Mary Gusky, the Rev. Tom Connery, Dr. April Flutie and Dr. Michael Kelly talk about getting the new dental clinic open in August, in Orange City.

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Jul 2, 2009 - 9:12:07pm

Good Samaritan Health Clinic Administrator Mary Gusky remembers a few years ago, when naysayers said a faith-based clinic to provide free health care to the poor wouldn’t fly.

The free clinic opened on West New York Avenue in October 2007, and has successfully served hundreds of low-income residents.

Now, the team of believers plans to open Good Samaritan Dental Clinic in Orange City in August.

The dental clinic at 1245 S. Volusia Ave. will operate along the same lines as the health clinic, providing services to those who need them but aren’t insured and can’t afford to pay. Financial qualifying will be required.

The push for a dental clinic began last year, when volunteers Chantell Martin and Martha Aldrich saw a “scary” need for dental services. They will coordinate services at the new clinic.

Like the health clinic, the dental clinic will require dedicated volunteers. An open house for dentists, hygienists and assistants who might be interested in donating their services is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the new quarters.

The faith-based organization had hoped to find a facility in the DeLand area big enough for both medical and dental services, but they let God work it out.

“This is a God thing,” Gusky said.

Again, the group overcame skeptics who said getting enough dentists to volunteer their services wasn’t likely. The naysayers said they would never find a facility with the right layout and plumbing for dentistry. And how would they find the specialized dental equipment?

The Orange City location, at the corner of Rhode Island Avenue, had just been vacated by dentist Dr. Herminia Rodriguez, who moved. She was willing to donate equipment to the clinic.

Landlord Dr. Everett Wells was willing to lease the office at a very fair rate of $750 a month, the group agreed. Good Samaritan signed the lease June 26, making the Orange City home official.

The dental committee met June 23, to work on the plan.

Dentists Dr. Michael Kelly, Dr. April Flutie and Dr. Ed Zwicker will inventory assets, including equipment already donated to the clinic that’s in storage. Brian Gregory of the Henry Schein dental-supply company said he will ask his company about assisting with startup.

Getting the electric power on at the new facility was a first priority. Some new cabinetry and flooring are likely needs, and carpentry volunteers will be appreciated.

Flutie, who is president of the Volusia-Flagler Dental Association, said her group will pitch in.

“We need to do more for our community,” she said.

Committee member and dental hygienist Barbara Balzer will coordinate hygienists.

— pat@beacononlinenews.com

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