Prairie State College thanks Homewood dentist for his work establishing dental hygiene clinic

It was 50 years ago that Homewood resident Dr. Francis Wright helped organize the dental hygiene program at Prairie State College (PSC).
 

Because of his efforts, the college developed what today is a fully accredited American Dental Association program that has graduated more than 1,000 dental hygienists, some of whom have gone on to be dentists.
 

“I think that’s an important number,” Wright said.
 

In June, Prairie State paid tribute to Wright, a retired dentist, presenting him with its Pioneer Pillar award in recognition of his work on behalf of the program developed by him, fellow dentist Dr. Dan E. Herrold and hygienist Carol Freitag.
 

“Dr. Wright lent his expertise during the planning stages of the dental hygiene program, as well as when the program first began,” said PSC President Dr. Terri L. Winfree. “Through his involvement with the establishment of the program, Dr. Wright demonstrated exceptional performance and community service, exemplifying our organizational values of learning, excellence, accessibility, respect and integrity.”
 

Wright was new to the community when he was asked to join the cohort of organizers. He used his World War II GI Bill benefits to attend Northwestern University’s dental school and enlisted as a dentist in the U.S. Navy, serving for two years.
 

A friend directed him to an organization that was helping dentists with the business side of a practice, and Wright learned of a dental practice in Homewood that was for sale. He bought out the retiring dentist and was in a shared practice for a year before he started his own practice at 18109 Dixie Highway. After 10 years he relocated to 18019 Dixie Highway. He practiced dentistry in Homewood from 1955 to 1990.
 

Shortly after moving to Homewood, Wright agreed to help organize the PSC Dental Hygiene Clinic that originally was housed at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights. Wright worked with his fellow organizers for several years reviewing other programs to develop the PSC curriculum.
 

He also remembers the group applying for a $95,000 federal grant used to build the first dental clinic on the PSC campus in the early 1970s. The clinic moved in 2000 to PSC’s new Health Tech building. 
 

Wright was associated with the dental hygiene program for about six years before getting involved in Homewood government. He served on the Homewood Public Library board for six years and was elected to the village board in 1971, where he served two terms. He also was a member of the Plan Commission from 1971 to 1985.
 

All the while, Wright would encourage young people to consider a profession in dental hygiene or dentistry. He is very proud that two of his 11 children have followed him into the field. His daughters Vivian Panagopoulos and Karen O’Donnell both graduated at the top of the class from PSC’s Dental Hygiene Clinic and O’Donnell continued on to dental school. She has a practice in Homewood.
 

The PSC Dental Hygiene Clinic has 20 student stations and operates during the morning, afternoon and evenings. The two-year program accepts 38 students each year. The co-op program also accepts students from other Illinois community colleges.
 

Clinic students are supervised by a dentist and adjunct faculty members who are practicing dental hygienists.
 

Among the services offered at the clinic are teeth cleaning; a periodontal clinic in the fall; X-rays; pit and fissure sealants; and bleaching trays. 
 

All services are offered to the public at significantly discounted rates. Because this is a learning experience, appointments can average 90 minutes to 3 hours. Students begin the appointment with a complete medical/dental history, blood pressure reading, oral examination, plaque index and X-rays, if needed. Then they move to polishing of the teeth, flossing and a fluoride treatment.
 

For additional information, or to schedule an appointment, contact the PSC Dental Hygiene Clinic at 708- 709-3707.