KULR 8's Healthy Living: Local News

Free Dental Care

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By Katie Ussin

Story Updated: Oct 20, 2009

BILLINGS - Billings health professionals are giving back this coming holiday season with the annual Thanksgiving Give Back a Smile Project.

Riverstone Health and 16 local dentists are teaming up to provide lower income households with free dental care on Friday, November 20. There are income guidelines to qualify.

For a household of one the maximum annual gross income is $13,538.
For a household of two the maximum annual gross income is $18,213.
For a household of three the maximum annual gross income is $22,888.
For a household of four the maximum annual gross income is $27,583.
For a household of five the maximum annual gross income is $32,238.
Access will be on a first-come-first-served basis and you must meet the 20% or below federal poverty guidelines.

If you qualify, you are then asked to stop in to Riverstone Health and pick up and fill out an application as soon as possible. There are 92 appointments available and individuals with the most urgent needs will be seen first.

"I think anybody who's having tooth pain that's changing their eating, sleeping habits, keeping them away from work are the people we're looking to help."

Riverstone Health officials say last time they held this event the appointments were filled within three days of announcing the project.

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FRAN said on Friday, Nov 25 at 11:25 AM

I am 42 years old my teeth are falling out. I got laid off last november. I have done over 400 interviews not one call back for a second interview. I leave many of these interviews in tears. My unemployment is running out. I don't qualify for medicaid, i am not disabled, I am not a senior. so over and over I am told there is no help available for me. I have been going dentist office to dentist office. the last dentist I went to I was told to get a night job..I am tired of leaving everywhere in tears.. I would like my smile back, and get back into the workforce

ISIS_DAWN said on Tuesday, Jun 29 at 6:09 AM

If there's "ANYONE" that can help me 'please let me know'!! I was seeing a dentist,and as it stands i haven't eaten "ANYTHING" but yogart for 1&1/2 yrs.I am totally scared of this dentist that i went to and will "NEVER GO BACK"!!! BUT I'VE LOST 65 LBS AND AM 5'10!! pLEASE E-MAIL ME AT isis_dawn@hotmail.com.THANK YOU........

Brenda said on Thursday, Nov 5 at 10:18 PM

I dont get it, I'm a family of 5, go through Riverstone dental and I have to pay to have my teeth done. Riverstone has screwed me out of having one tooth pulled twice already. they called 2 months ago to cancelle saying my dentist was sick, I come to find out a week later he was in the town I live, do dental work. Now I'm stuck waiting until Nov. 29th, and I called and made my first appointment in Aug. So be careful about that, but they do wonderful work.

Howard said on Wednesday, Oct 21 at 5:29 AM

We don't advertise it. We do (or did) the work as we were told stories from existing patients or local school districts contacts. There may be dental schools and hygiene programs that offer care at greatly reduced rates in your area.

Sarah said on Tuesday, Oct 20 at 11:26 AM

@Howard I didn't know dental offices did charity work. Where can I find one of these dentists?

Slickwitted said on Tuesday, Oct 20 at 11:22 AM

I think this is definately a good idea but not happy about the income guidlines...I make above what is listed but have so much debt that I am basically living in poverty...I think that people's finacial situations should be taken into account

Howard said on Tuesday, Oct 20 at 6:24 AM

I think this is great. We'd like to do more charity work in our dental office. Ironically, patients we offer to do work on for free or at greatly-reduced fee have far and away the highest no-show rates.

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