By KRISTI MAYFIELD
kmayfield@oakdaleleader.com
For a lot of us, going to the dentist has become something of a routine but imagine if you wanted to get some routine dental work done and were unable to? For many citizens, this is a reality due to lack of insurance or lack of accessibility to dental providers. Theresa Sheppard, Registered Dental Assistant, and Care2u, a non-profit organization that she founded in 2021, are looking to change all of that and provide free oral care services to the community. Care2u will be in this neck of the woods on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar St., Oakdale to provide free dental services including cleanings, screenings, X-rays and more
Sheppard founded Care2u to reach folks such as veterans that might not have dental benefits or access to dental care on a regular basis.
“Veterans have such a need and a lot of them are on fixed incomes so it is very rewarding when we can treat them,” said Sheppard.
Being a Blue Star Mom herself, Sheppard noted that working with veterans is near and dear to her heart. Care2u has hosted multiple free clinics within Stanislaus County including one that was specifically geared towards veterans at the VFW Hall on Hatch Road.
While Sheppard’s love of helping others is what motivated her to start the organization, she still works as an instructor through providing continuing education courses including Radiation Safety Courses. She has also shared her knowledge with the ROP Students at Davis High School during their Health Careers Academy. Working in dentistry since just after high school, she hopes to inspire young medical students to pursue careers in dentistry.
Care2u provides two to three free oral care clinics every year and they host fundraisers to help garner support for their clinics. From the recent Patriot Poker Run to a Charles Dickens Tea Extravaganza, they continue to find clever ways to bolster community support. Even with the special events, though, they need year-round support to continue providing their services at no cost to the community. With upcoming fundraisers, they are hoping to purchase a van to transport portable compressors which hold their dental hygiene tools as Sheppard currently rents a U-Haul to transport the compressors to and from events.
With proper screenings and good dental hygiene, many diseases can be prevented; Sheppard and her colleagues hope to bring oral care services to the many folks that are in need. If you or someone you know needs a dental checkup, make plans to stop by the free one-day clinic on Saturday, Oct. 19.
