Leaving behind the flooded and blacked-out facilities of New York University in lower Manhattan, a team of 33 dental students and faculty members arrived in Machias on Sunday, November 5. They set up for a week-long dental clinic that, by the end of the week, was able to serve more than 700 children and adults. Since 2010, this semiannual event has offered free dental service for residents in Washington County who are having difficulty accessing dental care.

“Absenteeism and poor nutrition (if your mouth hurts you are not going to eat a carrot) are just some of the problems that afflict those in need of dental care,” said Teresa Alley, oral health coordinator for the Washington County Children’s Program (WCCP).

Alley is one of two dental health practitioners who visit area schools and preschools to provide basic oral exams and routine treatments such as cleanings, fluoride varnish and sealants. They also screen for children who need more extensive dental care.

“It became obvious that there was a need for dental services when I would come back the next year and see the same dental problems that had gone untreated,” said Alley of her initiative to secure dental care for the children.

Working with Dr. Timothy Oh (DMD) of Caring Hands of Maine Dental Center in Ellsworth, WCCP sought additional partners to establish the clinic. They soon linked up with the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation, then the New York University (NYU) School of Dentistry, supported by Henry Schein Care.

“It took eighteen months before we were able to put on the first program,” said Oh. Caring Hands of Maine maintains the records and helps coordinate continuing care. In the months between the NYU clinics, the WCCP Tooth Fairy dental bus travels to schools and provides preventive care for children. Patients are also seen as needed at area health clinics as well as the Ellsworth office. “One of the differences of this program is that besides offering these clinics, we are able to provide follow up services,” he said.

Jonesboro elementary school teacher Janet Mawhinney came to the clinic with a group of her students. They arrived by bus to see the dentist. “I am bringing 27 kids to the dentist’s office and the only ones crying are the ones that couldn’t come,” said Mawhinney. “They are learning to take care of themselves. It’s important to them. It is a whole new learning curve. This is one of the best programs available to our students,” she said.

Dental care is also available for adults. For many, this is the only dental care that they can afford and, if necessary, they are willing to wait all day for treatment. Area businesses including motels and restaurants also benefit from an influx of over $30,000 in revenue during the clinic.

Ali Kurtz, assistant director for global outreach at NYU says, “We go all over the country and all over the world and this is the most popular trip. Around NYU, it is by word of mouth. If you are going on an outreach, you have to go to Maine; you have to go to Washington County.”

There were challenges preparing for their trip following Hurricane Sandy, including packing up and carrying down the stairwells 1500 pounds of supplies and equipment. The only light was from their headlamps.

Kurtz credits the local organization with their ability to move forward. “WCCP had done such a terrific job preparing, all we had to do is get here,” said Kurtz and added “this is such a tight and grateful community, we get more hugs here than anywhere else.”

Fourth year dental student Laura Conciatori received more than a hug from a young woman about her age who had spent most of the day in a dental chair. She got a smile. The woman had come in with severe breakdown of her front teeth. As a team, they were able to do root canal treatment and extensive reconstruction. A cell phone portrait of patient and dentist smiling arm in arm was one more testament to the program’s rewards.

Leslie Bowman is a freelance writer and photographer living in Trescott.

Coverage of Washington County is made possible by a grant from the Eaton Foundation.