Bowling Green dentists offer free dental care to veterans

BOWLING GREEN, OH — Doctors Phipps, Levin, Hebeka, & Associates, Ltd. Bowling Green Dentistry offers free annual oral care to all veterans.

“Stars, stripes and smiles” begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 12. Registration will be from 8 to 10 a.m., and Vietnam veteran and longtime supporter of the event, Bob Clark, will be on hand to help any veteran who needs guidance.

“These guys are doing a good job, and I still have all my teeth,” Clark said.

Clark is all smiles when he talks about the annual Veterans Appreciation Day event. He said it’s very easy because all veterans get free care.

“So many times we forget our veterans and they go unnoticed,” Clark said. “It’s really humbling that someone cares about us like that.”

Whether it’s a cleaning, a filling or a tooth extraction, it doesn’t matter; it’s all at home.

All of this makes Dr. Ryan Phipps, who started offering free dental exams to veterans in Toledo in 2012, happy.

He said more than 100 veterans showed up that first year, and he realized how great the need was for veterans and dental care. He supported the event at the Bowling Green office in 2015.

Phipps noted that over the years, the number of participants has dwindled to about 30 veterans who come each year. But the smaller number of visitors does not prevent him from offering the event.

“I know there are a lot more veterans out there that have serious needs, and we just want to help as many people as we can,” Phipps said. “If we have to stay all day, we’ll be happy to do it.”

So while it may seem like pulling teeth to get some people to go to the dentist, Dr. Jenna Shevlin said it’s definitely worth it for all veterans to come.

“It’s an amazing experience. Last year was the first time I did it in the office, and I hope it continues for many years to come,” Shevlin said.

Both dentists explained how veterans—and anyone—sometimes have a hard time coming in for a checkup because of fear. But Clark said everyone feels comfortable in this office.

“There are other procedures than we ever thought possible when we were kids. And the technology of today! If you take care of your teeth, your teeth really have a big impact on your health,” Clark said. “You know, God only gave us one body, let’s take care of everything.”

In general, there is really no pressure.

“If you just want to come out and share your support, I think it’s a great environment and I think it’s a great activity that we do. So, feel free to just come out and be a part of the community,” Shelvin said.

In addition to the free dental care, Phipps said, there will also be someone from Veterans Affairs as well as several nurses who will provide general health screenings while veterans wait for dental exams.

Doctors Phipps, Levin, Hebeka & Associates is located at 970 W. Wooster St., Rm 125, in Wood County Hospital next to Jaks Pharmacy. For more information or any questions, call 419-352-2569.