Heart and Soul Free Clinic to Open Free Dental Clinic

Westfield, IN - The Heart and Soul Free Clinic announced today that the grand opening of its free dental clinic will take place on Thursday, March 31 with ceremonies beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Located inside the Heart and Soul Free Clinic, the free dental clinic will begin accepting uninsured and underinsured patients with urgent care dental needs from 8 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday, April 2. Patients will be seen on a first come, first served basis. The clinic will then be open the first Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. until 12 noon.

By July, the clinic plans to expand its hours and see patients the second Friday of each month by appointment. A hygiene component is also planned for the future. The clinic will be staffed by volunteer dental professionals and front desk volunteers.

Dr. Steven Richwine, DDS, a graduate of the IU School of Dentistry with over 42 years in private practice will serve as the clinic’s first volunteer dental director. Dr. Richwine has previous experience volunteering at other free dental clinics in the Indianapolis area as well as volunteering his services at free dental community events.

“There is a great need for dental services in Hamilton County and the surrounding areas,” said Dr. Richwine. “Many individuals do not have dental insurance or can’t afford dental care. Having a lack of dental care can affect an individual’s overall health as well as their self-esteem and ability to work if they are in significant pain.”

“The dental clinic has been a work in progress for three years. We are very excited to see the clinic opening and we hope to alleviate much of the pain and suffering found in our community from a lack of dental care due to cost. We look forward to improving the overall health and lives of our patients,” said Heather Brownell, executive director of the Heart and Soul Free Clinic.

“Without the financial assistance of our grantors – the Noblesville Housing Authority Hamilton County Community Development Block Grant, the Hamilton County Health Department, IU Health, St. Vincent Health and the Legacy Fund Community Foundation, a CICF affiliate, the dental clinic would not possible,” said Brownell. “Patterson Dental was also a great partner in helping us put together the clinic and we appreciate Trinity Free Clinic for sharing their knowledge, dental forms and for letting us take a tour of their dental clinic. Our donors who participated in the clinic’s first annual campaign played a significant role as well for their donations will help cover the operational costs of the dental clinic this year.”

The urgent care dental facility will provide the following services for individuals primarily 12 years of age and up: extractions, fillings, fluoride treatment, oral cancer screening, nutritional counseling, X-rays, vital sign screenings and limited root canals.

The grand opening, which will be sponsored by Kroger, begins at 3:30 p.m. with a ribbon cutting slated for 4 p.m. Tours of the clinic will be available along with hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided by Kroger. For more information on the grand opening, contact Heather Brownell at (317) 804-5782 or heather.brownell@heartandsoulclinic.org.

The dental clinic is in need of additional volunteer staff dentists, dental assistants, expanded dental assistants, dental hygienists and front desk receptionists. Individuals interested in volunteering should call the clinic at (317) 804-5782 or email luann@heartandsoulclinic.org. Uninsured or underinsured individuals needing more information about the free dental clinic can call (317) 804-5782 or visit it the clinic’s website at www.heartandsoulclinic.org.

Founded in 2009, the Heart and Soul Free Clinic is a 501c3 faith based, non-denominational free health clinic. All services are provided without consideration of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation.