‘Twas the Season of Giving

It was 17 degrees on the morning of Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, where residents from Henderson, Evansville, and surrounding areas waited outside to be seen by a dentist – for free.

Audubon Dental Center held its 20th annual Christmas Care Day where they served 58 patients with needs ranging from fillings, extractions, cleanings, and exams. Patients were seen on a first come, first served basis, which prompted first-time patient Paul Cohron and his wife Tammy of Smith Mills, to wait outside Audubon Dental from 3 a.m. to when the dental center started taking patients at 8 a.m.

Paul was to get all his top teeth pulled, which otherwise would have cost him $2,800. On a fixed income, Tammy says Care Day is a miracle for their family.

“To be here is a miracle…a miracle that I saw it on TV because I’ve seen (Paul) hurting,” says Tammy. “Hopefully, I get to see him smile because if I can, it will make my Christmas.”

Repeat patient Sheila Wespy brought her brother Clarence to get a tooth pulled. Sheila watched dental hygienists work on him, while he cracked jokes and made them laugh.

“They always love him,” says Shiela with a big smile on her face. Before her cleaning, Sheila expressed a sincere appreciation to Audubon Dental for helping them out each year.

“It’s a blessing,” says Sheila. “We are very thankful for them to do this for people that need the help. It’s very important to take care of your body like this, but it’s also very expensive.”

Dentist Dr. Kurtis Wilson developed the free dental care concept more than 20 years ago from an “epiphany” he says he had while working in Honduras.

“I’ve done volunteer work in Honduras, Africa, Eastern Kentucky, a lot of different places,” says Wilson. “One day, I had an epiphany that I could do this right at home (in Henderson), and it’s worked out.”

Wilson said it is the gratitude of people like Paul, Sheila, and Clarence that keeps him and staff members motivated.

“It’s humbling and sobering to see that people have a lot of issues and their healthcare sometimes gets pushed to the back burner. Many people don’t have the money to get (dental) work done, and I believe this will improve their health and improve their lives,” says Wilson.

Wilson adds that he isn’t the only one that contributes during Care Day, but that it is a collaborative effort amongst the staff. Oral surgeons, dental hygienists, and office personnel volunteer their time that day – as in, no one gets paid to be there.

Office Manager Linda Carter, who has worked Audubon Dental for 36 years, says Care Day gives her a feeling of fulfillment to give back to the community.  “It’s just a little something that we can do for people, that helps them, so they are not in pain during the holidays,” she says.

The Audubon Dental Staff provided more than $13,000 in materials and services during the day. Per their site (AudubonSmile.com), Christmas Care Day 2017 is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 15 at their Henderson location, 716 Second Street.

For more information about the upcoming 21st annual Christmas Care Day, contact Linda Carter, Office Manager, at 270-827-5222 or toll-free at 800-627-6453.