MONROE — A non-profit family dental office, Fowler Dental, is making a colorful splash in the community, thanks to the donation of a new sign for the busy practice.

That sign only came about through gifts to the Fowler family after the March 2024 death of founder Dr. Donald Fowler’s sister, Laurie, who also was a dental hygienist at the practice.  

Fowler practiced from 1978-2008, serving clients in Rock and Green Counties. Fowler Dental Clinic (FDC) initially opened in 2009 as a pediatric dental clinic to provide much-needed dental care to low-income area children. The clinic was primarily volunteer-driven from the start. 

The mission of the practice “is to provide dental care to those in need with a focus on the uninsured and those with limited access to oral health services.”

After his death, all the dental equipment from Dr. Fowler’s private dental office was donated to start the non-profit Fowler Dental.  Still, when it first opened, the practice was in a closet at the Green County Government Service building. 

But in 2018, they were able to move into their current location at 411 22nd Avenue. Through sponsors, they can provide high-quality dental health assistance to children and students of Monroe schools, many of whom could not afford such vital work. They also work with clients in Lafayette County.

In his day, Dr. Donald Fowler worked closely with Laurie, and when she died earlier this year, her family donated the sign that stands in front of Fowler Dental — in lieu of flowers — at her funeral. The Fowler family and Fowler Dental said they are grateful to those in Monroe who gave money to purchase and erect the sign; as well as to those who continue to support the clinic’s vital work.

Erin Kettle, Laurie Fowler’s daughter and Dr. Donald Fowler’s niece, is a nurse at Monroe Clinic SMS Health. She was a catalyst behind gifting Fowler Dental with the sign after Laurie’s death. 

For her part, Erin Kettle said she “wanted the sign to keep the Fowler legacy going” in honor of her uncle and mother.

Ann Gerber, executive director of the clinic, said the dental office fills a unique and important need in the community for dental care that works with low-income residents and accepts public programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

“The closest one to do that is probably all the way in Beloit,” said Gerber. “That’s why it’s important for us to be here.”

— Aniyah Jackson-Bey, a junior at Monroe High School and a LAUNCH student, contributed with this story.