Hundreds turn out for free medical and dental clinic in Florida
Hundreds of people turned out for a free medical and dental clinic in Florida over the weekend of the 11th and 12th November.
Remote Area Medical, one of the USA’s largest suppliers of free health clinics, set up shop at Manatee Technical Institute in Bradenton. The aim of the clinic was to provide people who struggle to afford medical and dental bills and the uninsured with free medical, dental and vision care.
Stan Brock, president and founder of RAM, ushered the first twenty patients into the mobile clinic first thing on Saturday morning, and shortly afterwards, the crowds followed. Many people turned up on Friday night and the early hours of Saturday morning to try and guarantee an appointment.
Although many patients receive routine procedures and treatments at the clinic, Mr Brock said that it was not uncommon for people to find out that they have potentially serious conditions, such as hepatitis C or diabetes during screening or routine examinations.
Many of the dental professionals who volunteer at clinics like the one staged by RAM in Bradenton say that it’s common to see patients who haven’t been to a dentist for years, and often, people come to the clinic and wait for hours just to get relief from pain. Some have been suffering for years without any way of getting the treatment they need due to being unable to afford fees or dental insurance.
According to the latest statistics used by RAM, almost 20% of people aged under 65 don’t have insurance in Manatee County.
Join this Discussion