Dr. Brown and Dr. Florek of the Tri County Community Dental Clinic are Rewarded for Their Innovative Efforts to Provide Quality Oral Health Care Services to Under-Privileged Individuals.

Milwaukee, October 12, 2009- On November 3, 2009, the prize committee for The Social Innovation Prize in Wisconsin will award Dr. Timothy Brown and Dr. Phil Florek for their successful advocacy in caring for the uninsured and under insured members of the Tri County community. 

The prize includes a $5,000 investment in an exceptional individual over the age of 50 who is defying expectations by channeling his creativity and talent to address critical social problems at the local, regional, or national level.  This award also allows the winner to designate an organization of his choice to receive an additional $5,000. 

Through the efforts of Drs. Brown and Florek, the Tri County Community Dental Clinic was created with the aim to provide quality dental care through a volunteer program that links local volunteer dentist mentors with dental and dental hygiene students.  Since the inception of the clinic in 2003, over $6.4 M in free dental services has covered over 30,000 patient visits.

Brief Bio Regarding the Tri County Community Dental Clinic

The 2001 Fox Cities LIFE (Leading Indicators for Excellence) community assessment outlined a striking issue  -  a large number of area residents are without access to adequate dental care. As a result, in 2002, local dentists Tim Brown and Phil Florek realized this need would continue to escalate and proceeded to mobilize their peers and community.

To meet the growing need for dental care for the over 60,000 uninsured and under insured in the three-county area of Winnebago, Calumet and Outagamie counties, Tim and Phil encouraged a group of dentists and community leaders to embark on an ambitious project: to build and staff a volunteer dental clinic. Their dream was that local volunteer dentists would provide oral health care for those in the community with no insurance or with limited means to pay for dental care. With support from dental students and residents from Marquette University School of Dentistry and dental hygiene and dental assistant students from Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC), the dental community not only agreed to volunteer their time and talents, but also contributed financially to the project. Doctors Jeff and Marissa Kessler donated a parcel of land across from Fox Valley Technical College as the site for the new dental clinic, Marquette University agreed to donate the equipment for eight operatories, and the Tri County Community Dental Clink (TCCDC) was born.

Today, TCCDC is an innovative leader in fostering mentor programs between local dentist volunteers and dental student/residents. Volunteer hygienists from the community also mentor hygiene students at the clinic. The Tri County Community Dental Clinic is a non-profit dental clinic established in 2003 to provide quality oral health care services in a caring and compassionate manner to under-privileged individuals. Under the direction of Brown and Florek, TCCDC has made some amazing strides. Since turning their vision into a reality over five years ago, TCCDC has been able to log over 6.4 million dollars worth of free services and 30,147 patient visits for general care and emergency services. This would not be possible without the many monetary, in-kind, property and equipment donations. TCCDC works in collaboration the Fox Cities Community Health Center to coordinate medical and dental care. Federal Grant dollars are shared between the organizations.

The team of dentists provides the most cost-effective dental care, including preventive screenings. In 2008, over 80 local dentists, 34 hygienists, 38 non-dental volunteers, 312 Marquette University dental students, 37 FVTC students and 30 pre-dental students provided care at TCCDC, staffing over 6000 patient visits. The clinic's partnership with Head Start provided 262 children the opportunity to receive dental care and another 80 to have free screenings and teeth cleaning at the Give Kids a Smile event in 2008. The clinic now sees around 29 patients each day, treating around 11 emergencies daily, as well.

Drs. Florek and Brown continue to lead TCCDC as board members and serve as active volunteers in the clinic. They actively recruit local dentists to serve as mentors, solicit funding for the clinic, train young professionals and seek out community board members to provide marketing, financial, technology and other skills to help support the work of the clinic.  TCCDC has been recognized in Wisconsin as a model for volunteer/educational liaison/professional services.  Both will continue to lead TCCDC as a partnership of volunteers, educational organizations and community support providing dental care to those in need. www.tricountydental.org

The award ceremony held at The Pilot House, Pier Wisconsin marks the third annual award presentation, which was initiated by honoring the creative vision and committed service of Fred Lindner and those that follow in his footsteps.

The late Fred Lindner was a truly remarkable person and the consummate social innovator.  Fred’s extensive work on behalf of the elderly, his lifelong commitment to justice and fairness, and his innumerable contributions to the aging network both locally and state wide is the inspiration that has motivated the Helen Bader Foundation, The Social Innovation Prize Planning Committee, and the Fred Lindner family to offer this prize.

The Social Innovation Prize in Wisconsin planning committee is comprised of representatives from the following five organizations:  Interfaith Older Adult Programs, Inc., Helen Bader Foundation, E jj Olson & Associates, Milwaukee County Commission on Aging Advisory Council, UAW, and Wisconsin Association of Area Agencies on Aging.  This committee aims to both recognize the efforts of exceptional individuals in honor of Fred Lindner and invest in their potential to contribute significantly to society. 

All of the 2009 nominees will have their nominations forwarded to be eligible for the national Civic Ventures “The Purpose Prize.”  The Purpose Prize provides five awards of $100,000 each to people over 60 who are taking on society’s biggest challenges.  It’s for those with the passion and experience to discover new opportunities, create new programs, and make lasting change.