NEWBURY — Keeping July's pledge of "Giving Back to Our Community," Dr. Robin Davies is again offering senior citizens a complimentary dental examination, dental cleaning, digital X-rays, oral care products and a complete dental plan Saturday at Davies' Parker River Dental in Byfield.
To date, eight people have signed up for the free program with the Newbury Council on Aging at 978-462-8114. Davies and her staff of four are prepared to handle as many as 12 persons from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Only five people took advantage of the first program in July.
Explaining the reasoning for her program, Davies said that it is "essential for our elders to receive regular dental care to help maintain their total body's health. We see our elderly patients on medications that can cause dry mouth, which can cause a higher risk of decay and gum disease, diabetes and cancer. Studies show that oral health affects our general health and well-being. I am passionate in my belief that it is vital for everyone to receive professional dental services for a healthier life."
Martie Joe, director of the Newbury Council on Aging, emphasized that there are no charges for Davies' program, but she feels that the low attendance in July could be traced to elders fearing that they had to commit to possible future treatment at Parker River Dental.
But Paul Getchel, one of the five elders who took advantage of the July offering, said that he was "pleasantly surprised that everything was free." He said that he was attracted to Parker River Dental for a second opinion after being told by another local dentist that he needed teeth removal at a cost of $10,000.
"Parker River saved the teeth for under $2,000," he said. "I was very pleased with Dr. Davies' practice and will continue to have Parker River Dental as my dentist."
Fran Short, another July participant, described Davies as "a class A dentist ... very personable, along with top-shelf dental workers."
A third July participant, Marilyn McKeen, described Parker River Dental as "the best dental practice I have ever been to ... a very relaxed atmosphere, and I'm actually anxious to go back for another appointment. There was no pressure at all from this practice."
"We feel excited for the chance to give back to our elders," Davies said. "They have given so much to us and our Newbury community. This is our way of saying, 'Thank you.'"
As Davies noted in July, if more than 12 people sign up for the Saturday program, she'd be willing to try it another day, and she plans to make it an annual offering.
Davies previously served the Newbury COA by donating toothbrushes and toothpaste to be included in the Give-and-Go bags from the Friends of the COA. She also supplied molar-shaped golf tees for the second annual FNCOA Go-for-the-Gold Golf Tournament at the Ipswich Country Club July 6.
Davies grew up in Maine and has lived in Byfield since 1992. She received her undergraduate degree in dental hygiene from Westbrook College (now the University of New England) in Maine and her DMD (summa cum laude) from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
