Turning Points Cuts Ribbon on New Dental Clinic Room Courtesy of Bradenton Kiwanis

BRADENTON–On Tuesday, Turning Points at the Bill Galvano One-Stop Center cut the ribbon on a new dental exam room in its clinic, courtesy of the Bradenton Kiwanis Foundation. The Foundation's $50,000 donation will allow volunteer dental professionals to provide $1 million in free dental work to the area's needy each year.

The Turning Points dental clinic provided care to 700 different patients last year and hopes to double that number. The clinic is currently seeking grants or donations from private foundations so that they can complete another full exam room, which is half finished, in order to add a third volunteer dentist and treat more patients in need.

Dr. John Little, who retired seven years ago after more than three decades of local practice first at the Cortez Dental Clinic and then the Creekwood Dental Clinic, said that he began providing free care at the center as a way to give back to the community.

Little said that he thought it would be a matter of "doing a few fillings" here and there but found something very different than he had anticipated.

"We were seeing patients who might have gone 15 years since their last dental treatment and their teeth were in total neglect," explained Dr. Little. "We're talking multiple extractions and then bridge work and partials to fill the space."

Little explained that the clinic focuses on quick and effective treatment in order to see as many patients as possible.

"We're a MASH unit," said Little. "We don't do root canals or crowns. We focus on getting the patient out of pain and to a point where they can function as productive members of society."

Little explained that the care provided at the center not only helps the patients recover their self-dignity and have a better chance of presenting themselves in a way that is conducive to them gaining employment, but also keeps them out of emergency rooms, where later-stage treatment can cost taxpayers much more money.

The Bill Galvano One Stop Center is located at 701 17th Avenue, Bradenton, FL 34205.