Free Dental Screening for Elders on April 29 NORFOLK -- A free dental screening clinic for senior citizens will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Norfolk Senior Center at 28 Medway Branch Road in Norfolk. At the free screening clinic, people aged 60 and over will receive a full range of diagnostic and educational oral health services in a relaxed, friendly setting. This is the most recent in a series of diagnostic oral health clinics the Neponset Valley Community Health Coalition has arranged for local elders. "More than three-quarters of the elders at our clinics don't have dental insurance," explains Dr. Stephen Stone, a Norwood dentist and Coalition member. "Many of the seniors haven't been to a dentist in a while, so they have concerns they want to ask us about, and we take the time to talk with them and answer their questions." At the clinic, local dentists, including Dr. Stephen Stone and Dr. Mark Stone, will examine patients for problems with their teeth, gums, and dentures. Members of the Massachusetts Oral Cancer Partnership will screen participants for oral cancer. Students from Massasoit Community College's Dental Assistant program and Mount Ida College's Dental Hygiene program will assist the dentists, talk with seniors about their oral health concerns, and demonstrate ways to take care of teeth and dentures. Under their professor's supervision, students from Massasoit Community College's Dental Assistant Program will use a special machine to clean dentures at no cost to seniors at the screening. A nutritionist from HESSCO Elder Services will talk with participants about the role of nutrition in oral health and will give advice to those with chewing problems, drymouth, medication interactions, and other concerns. During the screening clinic, participants can also apply to be part of the Elder Dental Program, which provides reduced-fee dental services to low-income seniors. Residents of southern Norfolk County aged 60 and over whose incomes are less than $24,000 a year and whose savings are less than $19,500 may qualify for this program. Anyone aged 60 or over from any town is welcome to attend the clinic. Appointments must be arranged in advance by calling the Norfolk Senior Center at (508) 528-4430. Norfolk residents may request free transportation to the screening. The clinic is made possible by the Neponset Valley Community Health Coalition in partnership with the Norfolk Council on Aging; the Oral Health Foundation; Norfolk Adult Day Health Center in Norwood; Massasoit Community College Dental Assistant Program; Mount Ida College Dental Hygiene Program; HESSCO Elder Services' Nutrition Program; and the Massachusetts Oral Cancer Partnership, a collaboration between Harvard University Dental School, Tufts University Dental School, Boston University Dental School, and Delta Dental. 4/4/2006 ###