New Dental Unit Provides Expanded Services
Stickney Township children and seniors don’t have to go to
the dentist anymore. Beginning this fall, the dentist will come to them.
Stickney Township Public Health District officially introduces its new Mobile
Dental Unit this summer replacing an aging vehicle that has serviced children
here since 1973.
According to Dr. Andrew Marchese, Dental Division Director for the Stickney Public
Health District, “the (old) trailer was put together in the 70s, but the
actual equipment dated back to the 50s. It was getting old and wearing out.”
“There were certain routine services we were no longer able to perform
because the trailer was breaking down,” lamented Marchese.
The new, state-of-the-art 30’ x 12’ trailer, features two, fully
functional dental “operatories” — areas where the dentist
and an assistant can examine and work on patients. The previous dental trailer
was down to a single station.
“We’ve essentially doubled the number of people we’ll be able
see,” asserted Marchese. “The equipment is more modern, allowing
us to perform procedures more efficiently.”
New equipment includes automatic chairs. According to Dr. Marchese, “the
old chairs couldn’t accommodate adults, or seniors very well.”
The schedule allows the trailer to visit individual schools in District 111 and
park for a period of six to eight weeks in order to provide free dental services
conveniently to students. According to Marchese, children can come out of school
for an appointment, get their teeth taken care of and go immediately back to
class.
In addition, the new trailer will expand the availability of services it currently
offers to include care for residents 55 and over. The route will now include
scheduled stops at the LSV Senior Center. This summer, the trailer will be located
on that site from July 18 to August 1. Office hours are from 8:30 am to 12 pm,
Monday through Friday.
Services provided at the Dental Trailer include examinations, x-rays, routine
cleanings, simple repairs of full or partial dentures, routine restorations and
simple extractions. For children, the new trailer will also allow a preventative
sealant program to be introduced.
Patients are seen by appointment and must be Stickney Township residents. A current
Stickney Township ID must be presented at the time of the visit. All services
are free of charge. Appointments can be made by calling the trailer directly
at 708-878-3828....
Clinic Physician Largosa Retires
Dr. Anastacia Largosa has retired as Clinic Physician
after 29 years of service to Stickney Township residents.
A native of the Philippines, she came to the U.S. in 1970 and worked at Mercy
Hospital as a blood technician while studying for the Federal License Exam to
practice medicine in this country.
Dr. Largosa was at Little Company of Mary, Jackson Park and Christ Hospitals
before joining Stickney Township.
Her background as a General Practitioner and Emergency Room physician was perfect
for her career at Stickney.
"When you work the emergency room, you're used to everything — x-ray,
blood work, lab. Blood drawing was my first job," Largosa claims.
Dr. Largosa credits the people she worked with at Stickney with being "a
team" that serves and guides patients.
When she started, she expected her stay to be brief, but "three years became
29 because I loved the place and the people at the Clinic."
Dr. Largosa plans to continue a private practice part-time.
Seeking Flag Donations
Donations of American flags are needed to fly over all four Township facilities
and the Veterans Memorial in Burbank. They are flown to pay tribute
to your loved one. The only size flag we can fly on our poles is
8 ft. by 5 ft. (the type that is used for funerals). Please attach
a note indicating the name of the honoree (a brief history is welcome)
along with your own name and telephone number. You will be notified
when the flag is being flown and your loved one’s named will be posted.
Drop your flags off at any Township building but they will be flown closest to
the location of the donor (i.e., Burbank residents at the Veteran’s Memorial,
State Road or Senior Center locations). Flags are flown until in disrepair,
then properly disposed of by the Stickney American Legion Post 8159.
Your donations are deeply appreciated.
Did You Know?
You can get many immunizations free through Stickney Public Health District programs? Congratulations if you and your children are up-to-date. Being vaccinated means that you have reduced your risk of illness if ever exposed to a dangerous disease. But, if you have delayed this important health detail, or have questions about immunization, please feel free to call or come in at your convenience. Stickney Public Health offers vaccinations for children, teens and adults.
• • •
The Stickney Public Health District participates in the state’s “Vaccines for Children Program” which translates to free vaccines for many infants and individuals under the age of 18. Stickney Township offers a “Well Child Clinic” every third Wednesday of the month. This is a great time to get your child checked for growth and development and update immunizations. Since this is a scheduled appointment for well children only your child won't be exposed to sick patients which may be the case during regular clinic hours. Call Shar for any appointment at 708.424.9200.
• • •
Health physical season has already begun. Stickney Public Health Clinics have a doctor available for school or work physicals Monday through Friday. As the beginning of school approaches, more people will realize their child’s kindergarten, fifth grade, high school or college physical is due. Beat the rush by coming in now. You may call ahead to be sure the doctor is available, however, no appointments are taken.
• • •
Seniors over the age of sixty can get help with grocery shopping, household chores, personal care or other activities of daily living through Stickney Township’s Community Care Program. For information call Teri at 708.424.9200.
• • •
If you need nursing assistance, Stickney Public Health District has nurses available to make free home visits. These nurses provide disease monitoring, medication management, referrals when necessary and general advice with the objective of assisting seniors to remain comfortable and independent in their homes as long as possible.
• • •
If an agent for the State’s All Kids Insurance Program assists you with the necessary forms, there is a higher rate of acceptance. Two agents at the South Township building (Burbank location) are ready to help you get the job done. Feel free to call 708.424.9200 and ask for Lynn or Shar to get your application.
The
South Building houses the Township administrative offices. 
