Blessed Mother Teresa Dental Care Center
The Mother Teresa Dental Care Center was created in recognition of the tremendous need for care to the underserved and unserved population of Tulsa. The center is located in the Xavier Medical Clinic building on the new Catholic Charities Campus. While the medical clinic has been in operation for several years, this is the first time dental care has been provided through Catholic Charities. Planning for the center was provided by a committee of local dentists who remain committed to the success of the center. Formal dedication of the center was December 7, 2009 and the first patients were seen on January 12, 2010.
Our sparkling new facility is nicer than many dental offices. It contains three operatories, completely outfitted with modern chairs, units and instrumentation. All equipment is new or "gently used". We were fortunate to have generous contributions, both monetary and equipment, from various dental offices, suppliers, charitable organizations and others in order to complete the facility. All equipment was donated or purchased with donated funds.
Dr. Michael Spradlin serves as the full time volunteer dental director of the center and he is present all day Tuesdays and at various other times patients are seen. Leah Robles is the full time Dental Center Coordinator and she oversees the operation of the center. We have additionally been blessed with numerous volunteer chair-side assistants and receptionists to assure smooth operation.
About our services: As a start-up clinic, the services have been provided in increments. Initially, examination and emergency relief of pain were the only services provided. In February, students from the TCC Dental Hygiene Program and the OU Department of Dental Hygiene in Bartlesville began their rotation through the center. These students perform examinations and provide hygiene services. We now have volunteer licensed hygienists providing care the second Friday of each month as well as other volunteer hygienists at various times during the month. Also in February, an evening clinic was initiated to provide emergency relief of pain and removal of hopeless teeth. At the current time we provide operative care (composite and amalgam restorations) by Dr. Spradlin and other volunteer dentists on Fridays and Mondays. We are in the process of providing prosthetic care in the form of full dentures and removable partial dentures. Future goals include more comprehensive care—crown type restorations, endodontic treatment and limited orthodontic care (provided by local community volunteer orthodontists in their office).
Our location: The center is located at 2450 North Harvard, the southwest corner of Apache and Harvard, diagonally across from the TCC Northeast Campus. This is approximately two miles north of I-244 on Harvard. It is easily recognized by the bell tower of the chapel which stands out when driving up Harvard. From the north, it is just south of Highway 11 on Harvard. You can reach the Dental Center at 918-508-7191.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact John O'Neill at 918.508.7125 or joneill@catholiccharitiestulsa.org. |
