KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – At least 250 uninsured adults in Kalamazoo County will receive free basic dental care at a special event set for next month.
For the fifth year, Family Health Center is bringing back its Dr. Lisandra Soto Dental Day of Caring, which aims to serve what organizers say is a critical need in addressing overall health.
The Dental Day of Caring takes place Saturday, March 22 from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. at Family Health Center’s Alcott campus, 505 East Alcott Street. During the one-day clinic, uninsured adults will receive a dental exam and at least one service, including cleanings, fillings and extractions.
All services are being provided free of charge by volunteers who are fully licensed and certified dental providers.
Denise Crawford, President and Chief Executive Officer of FHC, said many people don’t have dental insurance and can’t afford to take care of their teeth. That poses a big risk to their overall health, she said. “If people can’t get dental or preventative care because of cost or lack of insurance, they’re dealing with pain every day while putting themselves in danger of other serious health issues,” Crawford said. “The Dr. Lisandra Soto Dental Day of Caring seeks to turn that around by bringing quality dental care to hundreds of local residents.”
“On a typical day, FHC serves about 100 dental patients,” Crawford said. “We’d like to see that number grow. The more people who seek dental care, the more types of other health issues we can help people avoid.”
Dental Day of Caring was launched in 2019 by Dr. Lisandra Soto, then serving as FHC’s Chief Dental Officer. Dr. Soto passed away later that year due to cancer. FHC renamed the annual event in her honor.
Patients are urged to pre-register to secure a time to receive care. To pre-register, go online to tinyurl.com/DDOC2025, or call (269) 488-0805, or stop by either Family Health Center location, at 117 West Paterson Street or at 505 East Alcott Street.
Comments