Hundreds queue for free dental care in Maryland as concerns grow for access to affordable treatment
Hundreds of people waited patiently in line for hours to attend a free dental clinic in Salisbury, Maryland on Friday (12th May).
Before sunrise, long lines of people had gathered outside Wicomico Civic Center in the hope of securing an appointment at a free dental event hosted by the Mission of Mercy. Over the course of the next 48 hours, a team of dedicated dentists, nurses and hygienists worked tirelessly to treat as many people as possible offering services such as extractions, cleaning treatments and fillings.
Dee Matello was just one of hundreds who arrived long before the clinic doors opened on Friday morning. She was number 503 in line and had been struggling with pain caused by a cracked molar for some time. Without dental insurance, she had no chance of being able to afford to have the tooth extracted or repaired by a dentist, and the Mission of Mercy clinic offered a golden opportunity.
The popularity of the clinic underlines the growing gap between rich and poor in the US, as people in line talked about those on the other side dropping thousands on a new crown or a set of porcelain veneers. Free clinics have become increasingly popular across the country, and the fact that people are willing to queue for hours in snow, driving rain, or energy-zapping heat is testament to the difficult in accessing affordable care.
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