Salvation Army dental clinic serving many low-income patients closes

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Woman having her teeth checked at the dentist. (Credit: CBS News)
Woman having her teeth checked at the dentist. (Credit: CBS News)

A Fort Myers clinic was the only way many people in the area could get their teeth checked. But now, the Salvation Army’s free dental clinic is shutting down, leaving its low-income patients in limbo.

The Care Dental Clinic serves patients like Susan Argese, who is on a fixed income. For years, she did not go to the dentist.

A former dental assistant, Argese jumped at the chance to have someone look at her teeth and gums when she found out about the free clinic.

“I ended up losing a lot of my teeth because of neglect because of money,” Argese said. “Fillings, extractions, partials and that leads up to a lot of money and I didn’t have to pay a thing.”

She said the act of kindness restored her confidence. But now, she is worried all over again that her dental clinic will close.

Dr. John Knapp, a dentist volunteer at the We Care Dental Clinic, has poured his heart and soul into the clinic.

“Susan is a member of the community and typical example of the type of people we see,” Knapp said, “and a former dental assistant who is knowledgeable in the field, but just met difficult times.”

Knapp said he does not know what the cause of the closure is. He is sad to see it go.

The Salvation Army operates the free clinic. It said the program is going on hiatus due to staffing shortages. It is unclear whether the clinic will reopen.

The decision leaves hundreds of patients, like Argese, wondering what is next. She plans to spread the word about the We Care Dental Clinic shutdown, hoping it will somehow keep its doors open.

“They need people to help in here and money to support it,” Argese said.

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