Local News
Local dental team gives back
By KAREN BRADY
Staff Writer
Recognizing the need for missionary work in his hometown, Chickasha dentist John Phillips will soon host his third annual Dentistry From the Heart event.
“I was born and raised in Chickasha and I don’t want to go anywhere else,” Phillips said. “We have people who need help right here in our own back yard.”
Realizing people in his community had needs that were not being met, Phillips asked himself, “I’m just a dentist; what can I do?”
The combination of Valentine’s Day and Dental Health Month, both of which fall in February, answered his question, and Dentistry From the Heart was the logical answer.
From 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, Phillips will once again open his office to the public, offering free dental work to those in need.
Free dental services offered include fillings, extractions, cleanings, X-rays and exams which will be provided on a first-come-first-serve basis. Patients must be over 18 years of age and no pregnant women will be seen. Each patient will receive one free service.
“I feel there are opportunities for mission work in foreign countries, but I also feel there is a strong calling for mission work right here in Oklahoma, in Grady County, in Chickasha,” Phillips said. “People who need care right here at home.”
For the past two years, hundreds of people have lined up for the event, some even camping out the night before. Phillips said 304 persons were treated last year, with doctors and hygienists providing more than $110,000 worth of free dental care in 2009.
“We’ve expanded from eight rooms to 14 and have nearly twice the space now, so we expect twice as many will be helped this year,” said Phillips’ wife Angi, who has worked as a volunteer at each event.
In October, 2009, Phillips was invited to speak to more than 150 doctors at a dental convention in Aspen, Colo. and to explain how Dentistry From the Heart works.
“I had five people immediately ask me ‘When is your event? We want to come,’” Phillips said. “Eleven out-of-state doctors are coming at their own expense to see how we do it and how they can start their own program, and they are all bringing someone with them.”
“We have more doctors coming than we know what to do with,” Angi said.
Some of the doctors volunteering their services include Phillips’ partner Dr. Barrett Hall, oral surgeons from Lawton and the OU Medical Center, two dentists from Miami and Talihina, a general dentist from Lawton, and doctors from New York, California, Kentucky and Missouri, some of whom are Phillips’ former classmates.
There will also be a half dozen dental hygienists, students from Platt College, and about 75 volunteers taking care of everything from patient registration to parking.
“It’s gotten bigger than just Chickasha,” Phillips said.
The Phillips are humbled by the outpouring of support from their community.
“People show up to help that we didn’t even know were coming,” Angi said.
“It blows me away the way the city steps up to help,” Phillips said.
Volunteers include friends, family members, former patients, and more.
For instance, a Norman orthodontist foots the bill to feed the entire staff lunch and local developer Brannan Bordwine provides porta-potties, barricades and breakfast and lunch for patients.
“We look forward to it. It’s the highlight of the year,” Angi said. “They (the dentists) have a ball. There’s something about giving back. This has changed our perspective, to see how blessed we are and we don’t even realize it.”
“The people we help, the lives we have changed - that’s why we keep doing it,” Phillips said.
Dr. Phillips’ office is located at 29th and Grand in Chickasha.
- Local News
-
-
Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
-
GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Transformations
