Parkey speaks to Lions Club

Giving access to more people is an important part of healthcare according to Dr. Michael Parkey with Arkansas Dental Clinic, located at 405 Highway 463 North.

Parkey was the guest speaker at the Trumann Lions Club Wednesday, Nov. 11.

The dentist noted that three years ago, he and Dr. Craig Davis were looking for ways to branch out and assist more people in the area. They were approached by Dr. Doug Jackson, an orthodontist based out of Paragould, regarding his Arkansas Dental Clinic startup.

The clinic was set up to provide dental healthcare to patients of all ages, as they are accepting all insurances including ARkids First and Medicaid.

Parkey said he and Davis still have their main practice in Jonesboro, but they also worked at Arkansas Dental Clinic part of the time with Dr. Jackson.

The one thing Parkey said he noticed while working at the clinic was that they were getting a lot of patients from Trumann.

Their dental assistant, Diane Secrease, is a Trumann native and therefore able to make contact to see about setting up an Arkansas Dental Clinic office in Trumann.

Parkey discussed the importance of smaller communities having greater access to a dentist.

"Imagine going to St. Bernards Medical Center for just a tooth ache," he said. "By the time they get a room and meet with you, it's basically become a $500 tooth ache for them to give you a pain pill, advise you they can not help and that you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. When people are in pain, they need access to medical care."

When asked how he likes Trumann so far, Parkey said, "Trumann has some of the nicest people I've ever met in my life. But I will tell you, we are dealing with a real neglected group here. We have to give back to our communities."

Parkey said he doesn't hope to replace other dentists in town.

"I just want to give people more access and maybe provide people with a different flavor of ice cream," he said.