By Rob Sigler and Alyssa Schnugg

news@oxfordeagle.com

Several local dentists have stepped up to help fill the void left by the tragic deaths of four area dentists in an Aug. 14 plane crash.

Farese Family Dental, where Drs. Jason and Lea Farese built their Jackson Avenue practice, reopened for business today, thanks to members of the dental community who have reached out to assist the staff.

Dr. Carla Cole, who now practices in Hattiesburg and worked with the Fareses for three years, will rotate within the practice Monday through Thursday, according to a Facebook post.

“Drs. Jason and Lea worked for 11 years to build a practice striving to help our patients, and our staff will continue to work toward that goal,” read the post on the Farese Family Dental Facebook page. “We believe they would want us to continue to provide high quality, compassionate dental work in their memory.”

To schedule or reschedule an appointment, call Teresa Cox at 662-234-8463.

Help for other practices

Dr. Michael Perry’s Oxford clinic, Mid-South Dental Implants & Periodontics, will also remain open thanks to the help of several periodontal specialists who will be helping out on different days of the week.

Oxford dentist Dr. Walker Swaney, a long-time friend of the Perrys, said he was asked to help coordinate with other specialists to keep Perry’s practice going.

“We have many in- and out-of-state specialists coming to Oxford to help fill in,” Swaney said.

Perry’s partner, Dr. Brenda L. Fowler, will continue to run the clinics in Tennessee.

“Most of the dentists who are coming went to school with Michael,” Swaney said. “We have four from Mississippi and eight from other states who will see patients.”

Swaney said anyone with an upcoming appointment at the Oxford clinic can find out whether it needs to be rescheduled by calling 662-513-4619.

The Poole Dental Clinic in Clarksdale also reopened today to begin re-scheduling appointments as soon as possible, according to family member Jonathan Poole.