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.
