Local doctors lend a helping hand to those in need

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Updated: December 17, 2011 8:15AM

In a time where money is tight, and people prioritize differently, personal health needs are taking a back seat to other seemingly more important expenses. But thanks to some local doctors in the area, some very special people are getting much needed services to improve their health and ultimately their quality of life.

Dr. Kaz Zymantas, known as “Dr. Kaz” to his patients, opened up his dental practice, Premier Dental in Naperville, 20 years ago. He not only practices general and cosmetic dentistry but also works with patients that have a phobia of dental services. While he and his wife, Ina, keep themselves busy running their practice, they also believe it’s important to give back to the community.

“I was previously involved in the Naperville Sunrise Rotary Club, but work obligations did not allow me to continue with club activities. I still wanted to give back to the community, so I looked for projects that did not require structured time constraints,” he said.

One of the projects Dr. Kaz chose was to be a volunteer dentist at a health fair sponsored by a church in Aurora. Ironically, he was put with an old patient of his that had fallen upon hard times, and unemployment prevented her from getting some much needed dental work done.

“When I learned about her situation, I told her that I would restore her smile so that she could at least be able to get employment. We were able to give her a new smile and increase her confidence to be able to get a better job. I also then partnered with Zano’s Salon who donated a makeover for hair and makeup. The transformation was amazing and it was really thrilling to see her smiling face,” he said.

“Since that experience, Premier Dental provides two free dentistry days each year. We send out information to the community to let them know the dates and provide services for as many patients as we can. We primarily try to take care of any pain issues that disadvantaged patients may have,” he said. “We also partner with local area churches and other organizations where their members that are looking for a new dentist can come to my office and pay us $35 for about $180 dollars of services (exam, x-rays, cleaning). We then take that money from the patients and donate it to the Loaves & Fishes food pantry. We are running a program now for the Thanksgiving season.”

Dr. Kaz hopes that other dentists in the area will come on board and do similar types of things to help people who cannot afford proper treatment. His hope is to bring awareness of the problem to the community, and have people do what they can.

Dr. Kaz is not alone in his effort to give back to the community, Dr. Dan Cowart, a chiropractor in Naperville for 27 years, has found ways to give back as well. Part of Dr. Cowart’s patient base includes veterans, who are also a part of Cowart’s “80 and Better Club.” Working with veterans is a focus near and dear to him because his father was a veteran.

“Because my father was a veteran, I have a true appreciation for the commitment to our country as well as the sacrifice soldiers make,” he said. “My wife Tracey and I have done a collection for Operation Uplink. We raised money that was donated to the VFW Operation Uplink. This program purchases phone cards for the soldiers. However, once we completed that, I wanted to do more, I wanted to thank the veterans for their time and sacrifice.”

Dr. Cowart has always admired Mike Barbour, who is a Vietnam veteran and past commander of the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 here in Naperville. In working with Mike, Dr. Cowart saw an opportunity to help. He decided a great way to say “thank you” was to offer all veterans who are patients a complimentary adjustment on Veterans Day. Though Veterans Day has passed, Dr. Cowart will offer all veterans his first-day services at no charge for the entire month of November. He will donate $17.76 for each veteran new patient to the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.

“This will be our seventh year of offering this service to our veterans,” he said. “I feel this is one way that Cowart Chiropractic can give to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.”

For more about Dr. Kaz and Dr. Cowart’s special efforts, visit www.dentistnapervilleil.com and www.cowartchiropractic.com.