Dentists unite to give the needy reasons to smile

A group has started a program to give low-income adults inexpensive dental care.

By JOSE CARDENAS, Times Staff Writer
Published November 29, 2007

Dental care usually isn't cheap, but a new network of a dozen or so local dentists wants to give poor adults quality dental care for just a few dollars.

They aim to provide affordable care in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties through a new nonprofit program called Gulf Coast Dental Outreach.

The dentists say it's a unique dental care program for the poor in North Pinellas. They launched it this monthat one of their offices in Dunedin.

"We saw people who have never been to the dentist," said Dr. Larry Lieberman, 51, one of three co-founders, whose dental practice is in Palm Harbor.

"One guy had severe infections," said Lieberman. "We had people who had dental work in the past and just could not afford it now. A girl was 26, and she had never had her teeth cleaned before."

The idea is the brainchild of Dr. Robert Ettleman, who lives in Tampa, but whose practice was in Dunedin for two decades. (The third co-founder is Dr. Harvey Kerstein, whose practice is in Clearwater.)

"I kind of went into early retirement," said Ettleman, 54, who will administer Gulf Coast Dental Outreach. "This is a way I felt I could give back to the community."

The program focuses on poor adults, Ettleman said, because poor children have Medicaid and other programs that help pay for dental care.

To qualify for Gulf Coast Dental Outreach, adults will have to be at or near the poverty level. They will pay $15 for most procedures.

So far the dentists, who are donating their time, are providing basic dental care, Ettleman said. But the plan is to also form a network of specialists to provide advanced services such as root canals.

The dentists take referrals through public assistance organizations. They already have referrals through February.

Ettleman estimates the program will cost about $50,000 a year to operate. They welcome donations to help cover the costs.

[Last modified November 29, 2007, 00:14:11]