Taking Bite Out Of Dental Bills

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Reprinted from MySanAntonio.com
Posted 08/09/2007 by Nancy Martinez

Last summer, fresh out of dental school at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Kerry Ragbir fulfilled a long-time dream of starting a dental practice. Because of its booming growth, he chose San Antonio.

Since then, Dr. Ragbir has tripled the value of his dental practice. Things have gone so well, he said, he has signed the lease for a new practice in North Bexar County.

Now, Ragbir says, it's time to give something back.

Like other dentists before him, Ragbir will reach out to the city's poor by offering free dental service on the second Saturday of each month, beginning this Saturday.

Patients will be seen at his office at 4871 Fredericksburg Road from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on a first-come, first-served basis. They'll also be held to an honesty policy: though Ragbir won't ask for proof, only indigent cases are welcomed.

I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do," he said. "There are people here who need help."

Ragbir's motivation is rooted in his history.

The son of a tobacco industry worker, he grew up poor on the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean.

Dentist Kerry Ragbir works with a patient at his Fredericksburg Road office. Starting this weekend, Ragbir will provide free dental work from 9 a.m. to noon at his office on the second Saturday of each month.

Ragbir, 29, moved to America in 1997 when he joined the Navy. He was trained to become a dental technician and used his GI bill toward his bachelor's degree.

"Everybody else was partying and I was busy studying calculus and physics," he said.

Ragbir applied and was accepted to medical school, where he completed his coursework nine months early.

Ragbir said his mission is to improve access to dental care for underserved families in San Antonio; he hopes to inspire other dentists to do the same.

About eight months ago, a janitor at his practice had an abscess that he offered to treat for free. She was grateful, he said, but he felt good for providing the service. Then, he watched Michael Moore's latest documentary, "Sicko," which explores how many Americans don't have access to even basic health care.

"I'm not a fan of Michael Moore, but once I got this idea in my head, I couldn't get it out," Ragbir said.

Evelina Stephenson, executive director of the San Antonio District Dental Society, said there are clinics that offer free and low-cost dental assistance and that dentists are known to help in their own ways.

"It's not unheard of at all for a dentist to provide free care on a routine basis. Most of our dentists in San Antonio offer free care in various ways. To set aside four hours is a little bit of a different approach than what other dentists would take. We applaud his efforts."

So, what will Ragbir do when he gets overwhelmed with people who want free service?

"As much as I can," Ragbir answers. "I'm not superman, but I can make a difference."

And how long does he plan to continue offering free service?

"As long as I have a license to practice."