Area dentists offer free services in February

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Elgin area dentists with a heart will donate there time in February to those in need. Back row: Dr. Frank Maggio, Dr. Jon Nickelsen, Dr. Paul Engen, Dr. Daniel Sula, Dr. David Rice, and Dr. Beth Sacrey. Front row: Dr. Cindy Rauschenberger, Dr. Sue Shariff, Dr. Dawn Silfies, Dr. Cathy Nguyen, and Dr. Felicia Chu in Elgin. | Karen Naess ~ For Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 26, 2012 8:03AM

When financial challenges prevent people from getting proper dental care, conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease and even infection can occur. Reaching out to those in need of free services, the Fox River Valley Dental Society and Elgin Dental Society dentists will present “Dentist with a Heart” next month.

“With the economy being so poor, the last couple years I’ve tracked my cost and production every year,” said Dr. Felicia Chu, of Celebrating Smiles, at 750 Fletcher Drive, Elgin. Chu is one of several area dentists taking part. “The last couple years, I’ve dropped 10-15 percent.”

So Chu has helped coordinate dentists from St. Charles, Geneva, Sycamore, DeKalb, Aurora and Elgin to reach more patients.

“Our main goal is to reach people who fall between the cracks,” she said. “When we first started the program, we were sitting around waiting for people. ... Now, there are lines (of people waiting for services).”

Services — which will be provided Feb. 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 21 — include cleaning, fillings, X-ray, extractions and diagnostic services. Phone calls and appointments will not be taken, as the dentists will provide care on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program does not have eligibility requirements, and the dentists have promoted it by posting signs at area churches and stores.

Dr. Angela Landrowski, of Peacock Dental at 320 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin, shared hygiene tips that are especially important when patients are not visiting the dentist regularly. She recommends using fluoride rinses, which can be purchased at grocery stores.

“Once the child is old enough to not swallow the fluoride (rinse), I think it is really important,” Landrowski said. “Now that people drink filtered water, they’re not getting the fluoride.”

As a result, she explained, dentists are seeing decay in children’s teeth similar to that of the elderly. She also said brushing at night is imperative because saliva production is low as patients sleep.

“Saliva and chewing during the daytime cleans our teeth very well, but at nighttime we’re not doing that. So I tell the kids anything you’ve eaten all day has a party on your teeth all night,” she said.

Parents also should avoid telling their children about any negative dental experiences they may have had, according to Landrowski.

“The best thing is not to make a big deal about going to the dentist,” she said. “The more you talk about it in a negative light and share your own anxieties about it, the more they get nervous.”

When dental care is neglected, patients can develop serious health issues, including infections that can spread throughout the body. Periodontal specialist Dr. Frank Maggio, at 2000 Larkin Ave., Elgin, will take referrals from dentists during “Dentist with a Heart” to treat potentially serious cases. “Our patients come to us from the general dentists in the program,” he said. “Our job is to get their oral tissues healthy and to prevent infections that can affect the rest of the body.”

Schedules and locations of participating dentists are available at www.dentist withaheartonline.org.