ESCANABA -The Care Free Dental Clinic of Delta County has donated over $1,000 worth of toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss to the St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP).

In all, 1,872 toothbrushes, along with hundreds of tubes of toothpaste and hundreds of containers of dental floss were donated to SVdP.

Sarah Hughes, RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) for Dr. Paul Jacobs, said she was approached by a volunteer with SVdP about possibly donating toothbrushes and toothpaste to community members in need. So Hughes brought the request to the Care Free Dental Clinic Board, of which she is a member, and they unanimously approved the donation. Sarah made the call to Colgate and ordered the toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss, and says she was happy to do it.

“We feel the need to give back to SVdP because of all of the wonderful things they do, not just for the Care Free Dental Clinic, but also what they do for the community, especially for people in need,” Hughes said. “They’re always there to help anyone in need. They serve our community, and they serve our Lord.”

Along with Hughes and many other RDAs and CDAs, the dentists who currently donate their services to the Care Free Dental Clinic are: Dr. Paul Jacobs, Dr. Peter Jacobs, Dr. Kyle Bosk, Dr. John Skellenger, Dr. Perry Uhazie and Dr. Scott Kelly.

The Care Free Dental Clinic also has eight front desk volunteers, including Joanne Dufour, RN, of Escanaba, who has been helping at the clinic for over 10 years. “We try not to turn anyone away who needs our services,” Dufour smiled.

Founded by Dr. Paul Jacobs’ wife, Paula Jacobs, RN, the Care Free Dental Clinic started 11 years ago. Since then, the local dentists and their assistants who volunteer at the Clinic have given approximately $2 million worth of free dental care to 2,000 Delta County patients. The Clinic provides tooth extractions and fillings to the growing number of Delta County residents without dental insurance.

Dr. Paul Jacobs said the clinic was started when he and Paula decided they wanted to give back to the community by donating dental services to those in need.

Now, 11 years later, the clinic relies on donations to keep its doors open. “God has cleared a path for us,” Dr. Jacobs said. “Every single penny that is donated goes toward supplies for the clinic. It’s been a wonderful thing – God always provides. It’s proof of the power of prayer.”

One of the biggest donations has been the rent-free building where the clinic is held.

“The St. Vincent de Paul Society provided an addition with space for the clinic, as well as the heat and lights for us at no cost, so this donation [of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss], is a way for us to give back to them and to the community,” Dr. Jacobs said.

St. Vincent de Paul Warehouse Manager Cindy Bedard, who is also on the Board of Directors of the Care Free Dental Clinic, said there is definitely a need for dentistry services in the area. “I see or hear from our neighbors in need every day, so I know that this dental clinic is a much-needed service for our community,” she said. “Now, each of our neighbors in need will receive a toothbrush and toothpaste in their baskets from St. Vincent de Paul. It really is wonderful.”

For more information, search “Care Free Dental Clinic of Delta County” on Facebook.