Dentistry For Needy Offered

Getting some people to go to the dentist is like pulling teeth, but for others who lack adequate insurance or maybe even a job, much-needed dental work is a precious thing.

Vincent Monticciolo will hold his ninth annual Dentistry from the Heart event at his practice, Monticciolo Sedation Dentistry, 4530 Grand Blvd., from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Monticciolo puts on Dentistry from the Heart every year before Valentine's Day.

He started offering the free care in 2001 as a way of giving back something to the community. Monticciolo also wanted wishes to draw attention to the millions of Americans who can't afford regular or timely dental care.

The event has succeeded on both counts. To date, more than 5,000 people have benefited from Dentistry from the Heart events, receiving more than $1 million worth of free dental work.

Monticciolo and his team of dentists, volunteers and sponsors will provide cleanings, extractions or fillings to a limited number of patients Feb. 6 at his office. Patients who are found in need of continuing care will be referred to community clinics that provide free or low-cost care to people without dental insurance.

"There's a lot to do leading up to it," Monticciolo's office manager, Karen Wible, said of Dentistry from the Heart. It takes about two months to prepare for the one-day event, with the last two weeks being especially hectic, she said.

Come the day of the event, however, everyone involved is ready, Wible said. "It's a big power boost to the staff."

Everyone involved gets caught up in the spirit of the event. Even patients from past years call and volunteer to help, she said.

The concept has created similar enthusiasm throughout the dental industry. While speaking at national conferences, Monticciolo has persuaded dental clinics in 20 states to hold similar events throughout the year. In 2007, Dentistry from the Heart became a registered national nonprofit organization.

The Florida Dental Association has issued temporary licenses for out-of-state dentists working at Monticciolo's office during this year's event, Wible said.

Even with extra dentists, Dentistry from the Heart can only serve 500 patients, ages 18 or older, on a first-come, first-served basis. In past years people camped outside the clinic the night before in order to be one of the first 500 in line.

Monticciolo has said he'd like to see Dentistry from the Heart grow and become the centerpiece of a larger "health carnival" offering a variety of services. As she did last year, Monticciolo's wife, Natalie Lama Monticciolo of Prestige Dermatology, will present Skin-a-Palooza, free skin cancer screenings, during Dentistry from the Heart.

Prestige Dermatology is adjacent to Monticciolo's dental office.