Six local dentists were honored by the Richardson East Rotary Club for their consistent volunteer work at Richardson's Rotary/Network Dental clinic. The club gave each of the dentists a Paul Harris Fellow award, which is among the highest honors from Rotary International.

  More than 40 dentists have volunteered their time at the clinic since it was founded 5 and one-half years ago, said Doug Crosby, one of the founders of the clinic and a member of Richardson East Rotary Club. The clinic was founded in a joint effort by Richardson’s three Rotary clubs and the Network of Community Ministries, which provides most of its funding.

  Among those 40-plus volunteer dentists,  the six that were honored were chosen because they practice dentistry in Richardson, are always among the first to volunteer for time slots at the clinic and go above-and-beyond in their volunteer efforts, which includes taking patients to their own offices for treatment when necessary.

  The six dentists honored are Drs. Terri Train, Vanitha Gowda, Susan Aten, Larry Korenman, Candice Hutcheson and Jack Bodie. The Paul Harris Fellow award is given to someone who has $1,000 donated on their behalf, or by themselves, to the Rotary Foundation, which is Rotary International’s charity arm. The award was named in honor of Chicago lawyer Paul Harris, who founded Rotary in 1905. Today, Rotary has more than 1.2 million members worldwide.

  The clinic provides free dental care to children in the Richardson Independent School District who have no insurance and are not eligible for government-sponsored free care.

  Crosby and Denny said the clinic has served 573 patients since it was opened.  Among those patients, 379 teeth have been pulled, 470 teeth have been filled, 97 root canals have been performed, 16 orthodontic procedures have been handled and 45 crowns have been placed.