Smiling Faces Magazine 2021-22

www. ChsDent i s t s . com | www.MountPl easantPhys i c i ans . com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com 4 smiling faces BY LEAH RHYNE A Reason to Smile Free Dental Services toThose in Need D oes anyone actually enjoy going to the dentist? Our theory is no, probably not. You have to keep your mouth wide open while someone pokes your teeth with sharp objects, and then, sometimes even with insurance, you have to pay a sizable bill. For people without insurance, the astronomical cost of dental care is an insurmountable barrier, leading to potentially major health issues. But there’s good news out there. Two Mount Pleasant clinics offer free dental services to people in need, and that is a reason to smile. From their home on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, the Shifa Clinic offers comprehensive care to uninsured, low- income adult residents of the community regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or national origin. Their roots are in the Islamic faith, and their services include dental care. Dr. Andy Kloch has volunteered for Shifa since the dental clinic opened in 2018. “Several years ago, I received information that Shifa was hosting a medical and dental screening event for the Head Start Program and was requesting volunteers,” he said. “I decided to volunteer that Photos by Wi l l i am Beebe .