Local dentists (both general dentists and dental specialists) have searched for venues to volunteer and provide both “basic” and “emergency” dental services to Jacksonville’s underserved population. In the past, this opportunity has been limited to: “Give Kids A Smile” (a single-day program in February, generally held at the Dental Clinic at the downtown location of the Sulzbacher Center), or Project Dentists Care (a program, funded by the Florida Dental Health Foundation, that allows dentists to treat patients that are sent to them, in their office(s)).
 

We now have the following facilities as potential volunteer sites, for all interested dentists:

Barnabas Center is a multi-service nonprofit organization in Fernandina Beach that provides affordable dental care to lower income adults. Services include exams, hygiene, fillings, extractions, partial & complete dentures and root canals. A rewarding opportunity is available to one or more dentists to provide quality dental treatment to patients. Current available days to volunteer are Mondays and Fridays. Frequency is based on dentists’ availability, i.e., weekly, monthly, quarterly. Must have a Florida license. Volunteers are covered through the Sovereign Immunity Program with the state of Florida, Department of Health. For information, please contact Wanda Lanier, Executive Director, at (904) 261-7000 x 101, or Wanda.Lanier@BarnabasCenterInc.org. Visit www.BarnabasCenterInc.org

This four-year old, state-of-the-art facility is located at 611 East Adam Street, in the area of downtown Jacksonville. The mission of this clinic is to deliver dental services to the homeless (both residents and non-residents of the Sulzbacher Center). This facility has five operatories, with the ability to perform dental exams, digital radiographs (periapical and panoramic), operative dentistry, removable partial and complete dentures (dental lab services are available), non-surgical endodontic therapy, extractions, scaling/root planning, and fluoride applications. A registered dental hygienist is also available. The clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon), and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Fridays, it is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon). This facility is an extramural rotation site for senior dental students from the University of Florida College of Dentistry, and a rotation site for dental hygiene students from Florida State College at Jacksonville. Currently, five local dentists volunteer at the clinic, each having a schedule that suits their availability. The downtown clinic has dentists who volunteer anywhere from once a week, to once a quarter. Any dentist(s) who are interested in volunteering at this facility should meet the following criteria: a) an “Active” dental license for the State of Florida; b) registration/approval from the State of Florida, to receive Sovreign Immunity. The dental clinic is supervised by Dr. Suzanne Ebert. All parties interested in volunteering at this facility should contact Dr. Ebert, at 904-394-8064, or either of the following e-mail addresses: SuzanneEbert@tscjax.org. NOTE: Volunteer dentists may also become Adjunct Faculty for the University of Florida College of Dentistry, and supervise senior dental students at the clinic, if they so desire.

This state-of-the-art facility opened in March 2010, and is located at 850 Sixth Ave. S. in Jacksonville Beach. The primary mission of this clinic is to provide dental services to uninsured patients with incomes at or below 200 % of the poverty level, which is $38,000 per year for a family of four. Patients pay a small fee for services. The facility has two operatories, with the ability to perform dental exams, digital radiographs (periapical and panoramic), operative dentistry, non-surgical endodontic therapy, extractions, scaling/root planning, fluoride application. A registered dental hygienist is available one day a week. The clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 (Noon), and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Fridays, it is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon). Currently, four local dentists volunteer at the clinic, each having a schedule that suits their availability. Any dentist(s) who are interested in volunteering at this facility should meet the following criteria: a) an “Active” dental license for the State of Florida; b) registration/approval from the State of Florida, to receive Sovereign Immunity. The dental clinic’s “onsite”, part-time, supervisor is Dr. Jason Speigel. All parties interested in volunteering at this facility should contact Dr. Suzanne Ebert, at 904-394-8064, or either of the following e-mail addresses: SuzanneEbert@tscjax.org NOTE: Volunteer dentists may also become Adjunct Faculty for the University of Florida College of Dentistry, and supervise senior dental students at the clinic, if they so desire.

 

Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) is a local “Non-Profit Organization”. The clinic address is: 41 East Duval Street, in Jacksonville. The primary mission of this organization is to provide medical and dental services to individuals/families with incomes of between $13,000 and $27,075; $3,750 can be added, to the aforementioned amounts, for each additional dependent. One or more family members must be gainfully employed at least 20 hours per week, and live or work in Duval County. VIM patients do not have private or government-funded medical/dental insurance. Patients qualify for care by providing check stubs, and other verification of income, prior to their first clinic visit. Dental patients are seen by appointment, only. Dental services are delivered at The Sulzbacher Dental Clinic in Jacksonville (at 611 East Adams Street). The Sulzbacher Clinic has five operatories, with the ability to perform dental exams, digital radiographs (periapical and panoramic), operative dentistry, removable partial and complete dentures (dental lab services are available), non-surgical endodontic therapy, extractions, scaling/root planning and fluoride applications. VIM dental clinics are held on weekday evenings, from approximately 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Currently, two local dentists volunteer at the clinic, each having a schedule that suits their availability. Any dentist(s) who are interested in volunteering at this facility should meet the following criteria: a) an “Active” dental license for the State of Florida; b) a current malpractice policy that would cover their practice at this facility. However, if this is not available, VIM can request addition of the volunteer dentist to their malpractice policy. The Volunteer Coordinator is Ms. Catie Wallace. All parties interested in volunteering with Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) should contact the VIM Coordinator, Ms. Catie Wallace, at 904-399-2766, extension 103, or the following e-mail address: cwallace@vim-jax.org.

The Love in Action Dental Clinic is February 6-10, 2017 at Lake Shore Baptist Church. We are asking for 4 hour shifts. It runs 8 a.m. -8 p.m. The second is a one day event-Medical Mission at Home on April 29, 2017. 8 a.m. -5p.m.We can use 2-4 dentists for all day or 4 hours shifts. Location not set, yet. Also, we now have a mobile dental unit so there may be other volunteer opportunities.

If you have an interest in any or all of these opportunities please contact:
Stella Mouzon, RN, BSN, MSM
Manager
St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach Ministry
2591 Oak Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
904-308-7536