“It’s nice being able to enjoy cold watermelon again,” said Marty Watson of Conway. In 2015, Watson turned to the Interfaith Dental Clinic following a two-year battle with cancer. 

The medicine that helped her fight off the cancer also damaged her teeth, and Watson thought she might never eat cold watermelon and other cold foods again because of the pain.

Watson, a disabled teacher, began looking for affordable dental care after moving to Conway. As a patient of the Interfaith Clinic, she started working with the staff on a long-term plan to restore her teeth. The plan fell apart earlier this summer when she heard the clinic was about to close. “I knew I would never be able to afford to get the rest of my teeth fixed,” said Watson.

Her sadness turned to joy in early August when she learned that Conway Regional Health System had entered into a partnership with Gary Jones, DDS, and staff to enable the clinic, now called the Conway Regional Interfaith Dental Clinic, to remain open. 

“I need to write the hospital board a huge thank-you note,” said Watson. “Affordable dental care is a big medical issue that is overlooked in the community. I’m so thankful that the hospital recognized this as a medical need.”  

Watson is one of many dental patients who have expressed their gratitude to the clinic staff. Another is Sandra McNabb of Morrilton, who has made several trips to the clinic. “This sure has helped a lot of people by opening back up,” said McNabb. “People like me are on a tight, fixed income. This is wonderful.”

Poor dental hygiene can cause more than just cavities. Severe dental issues have been linked to diabetes, heart conditions and other chronic disease, according to the National Institute of Health.

“For us to be able to continue the dental clinic makes a huge impact on the community,” added Jones. “There are many people here who need dental care but do not have access to it because they don’t have insurance.” The Interfaith Clinic provides reduced rates to people without dental insurance. The clinic also accepts individuals with Medicaid and Medicare dental plans.

Jones said the clinic sees 20 to 30 patients per day and is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Services include X-rays, cleanings, scaling and root planing, extractions, fillings, crowns, bridges and selective root canals.

“We are thankful for this partnership with Dr. Jones and his staff who are committed to caring for people without coverage,” said Matt Troup, President and CEO of Conway Regional Health System. “As a community-based hospital, this partnership supports our mission, and we look forward to enhancing access to dental care across the community.”

“It’s a blessing to me,” said Misty Trudeau, a registered dental assistant and the clinic’s longest-serving employee. “There is a need for our clinic. We serve a purpose; it’s not just a job.” She has been on staff since September 2004, about a year after the dental clinic first opened. “We are greatly appreciative of all the help that we have had.”

The clinic staff includes Karli Mizer, registered dental hygienist; Misty Trudeau and Laura Huffman, registered dental assistants; and Teresa Freeman, office coordinator. The entire staff, including Jones, has practiced together at the clinic for the past two years. 

Jones, a graduate of the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry in Memphis, could have taken numerous career paths, but chose to work at the Interfaith Dental Clinic because of its mission. 

“There are very few jobs that offer the public health component along with the dental aspects,” Mizer said. “This is a rare opportunity to help people.” 

“A lot of tears were shed when we thought it was going to close,” said Freeman. She recalled how Jones and the team fought to keep the clinic open. “He’s just got that heart to help people.”

Noting that some patients drive two to three hours for a clinic visit, Freeman said. “This clinic is a real blessing for all of Central Arkansas.”