by Courtney Westlake, ISDS freelance writer

When the Community Health Care Clinic’s Dental Clinic opened in Bloomington in February 2019, one of the first patients left an indelible mark on program coordinator Bridget Roop.

“At the very beginning, one gentleman said he didn’t have friends for years because he didn’t have teeth. He said ‘when I get my teeth, I’m going to have a big party’,” Bridget recalls. The clinic made sure that happened: after the first group of patients completed their initial treatments, a party was thrown with cake and balloons!

Filling a Critical Gap

The services of the Dental Clinic are certainly something to celebrate.  Operating as an extension of the Community Health Care Clinic, the Dental Clinic offers adult dental services through a free clinic model powered by resources, volunteers, and community partners.

 Community Health Care Clinic first started as a medical clinic and dispensary 31 years ago, led by a few local physicians, OSF St. Joseph, and Carle Bromenn Medical Center (then called Brokaw). Ten years ago, the CHCC board and partners undertook a multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign to move to its current facility with enough space to add a free dental clinic.

And the need is clear: a community health survey found that 45% of adults in McLean County have no dental insurance, and 39% cannot afford dental care. Tooth pain remains one of the top reasons for emergency room visits – but “patients are usually sent home with only antibiotics,” Bridget notes.

“What’s unique is that we don’t bill for any service,” Bridget says. “We don’t get reimbursed from state or federal funding, and we rely solely on private donations and grants. There are not many clinics like us.”

Quality Care Powered by Volunteers

The clinic provides comprehensive services, including digital x-rays, cleanings, SRP, fillings, extractions, dentures, partials, and periodontal maintenance. Occasionally, crown work is done in domestic violence situations. Much of the initial equipment, instruments, and supplies were donated by retiring dentists or practices upgrading their tools.

“I was like the American Pickers for dentists, driving to pick things up at offices several hours away, trying to stretch our money as far as we can,” Bridget laughs. “Since then, we have worked hard to apply for grants to update the clinic, with a couple of new units being installed this month, and also updated equipment for the volunteers who come, to ensure the clinic functions like a typical provider’s office.” 

Good equipment encourages dentists to return to volunteering, Bridget points out. “I’ve never had a dentist come who didn’t come back,” she says. “I let them choose exactly what they want to do and what hours and days they want to be here.”

The clinic currently operates with seven volunteer dentists. While standard operating hours are Monday through Thursday, services are also offered two Fridays a month and even Saturday mornings several times a year. 

As the only paid staff member in the Dental Clinic, Bridget is responsible for the monumental task of coordinating the schedules of volunteer dentists, hygienists, and dental students from Illinois Central College, as well as arranging pre-dental groups from schools like Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan who want to volunteer. She now looks back at the 24 years she spent as a dental hygienist in private practice and can see how it was preparing her for this role.

“I’m able to be flexible with our volunteer providers; some of them are still practicing and want to volunteer outside their normal business hours. I’ve also had some dentists who want to come an hour or two after their business day, and I’m OK with that,” Bridget says. “I’m always looking for more volunteers, whether it’s yearly, monthly, quarterly or weekly. I will work with anyone’s schedule!”

Community Impact 

For Bridget and her team, the work goes beyond dental care; it restores confidence and dignity. “To see our patients look in the mirror when they get their smile back, you can’t put a price on that,” Bridget says. “And it’s a whole health change: when you don’t have teeth or you have abscesses, you’re going to eat soft food that’s usually not good for your health. If we can help give them their smile back, they can get healthier, get a better job, and provide for their family.”

Bridget commends the clinic’s dentists and staff for their “servant hearts,” making a significant difference in patient care. The ripple effect of that care has been noticeable over the years. 

“When we first opened, so many had no access to care. Since then, our patients are getting the care and treatment they needed, and now we have more time for preventative care, helping them understand why they have tooth decay and how to prevent it,” Bridget says. “The momentum is starting to shift.”

Looking Ahead

The clinic has already seen more than 900 patients on a “shoestring budget,” and the positive impact drives Bridget’s dream for continued growth.

She hopes to eventually expand the four-room suite, grow community partnerships, and provide more training opportunities for dental students. Ultimately, she’d love to hire a dentist who works regular hours each week, even if it’s not full-time.

“Scheduling can be hard with our patients who are working minimum wage jobs and have to take off work to come to the dentist. I’d love to provide, for example, regular afternoon appointments,” Bridget shares.

Many people have jumped on board with the vision of the Dental Clinic and have shaped it into the community support that it is today. Thanks to that support, Bridget knows patients will be able to receive the care they deserve.

“We have some pretty incredible people in our community who believe in our mission,” she says.

Want to donate or volunteer?
Contact Bridget:  309-888-5531 ext. 27
bnroop@chcconline.org