Dental Care To Be Removed From Annual Free Health Clinic In South Carolina
Organisers of the annual SC Mission health clinic are gearing up for this year’s event, which will take place on August the 2nd and 3rd at the State Fairgrounds. However, this year there is a major difference, as no dental care will be available.
This is the first year that dental treatment will not be provided at the event, which provides free healthcare to hundreds of people over the course of a weekend. The loss of dental care is likely to be distressing for many patients who may have been depending on the clinic to receive the treatment they need. But organisers insist that it will reduce waiting times for those who are waiting for health services and eye care.
Barbara Willm, event organiser, said that the removal of dental care from the agenda will cut waiting times and enable more people to be seen over the course of the weekend. This year, patients will also be able to see a doctor, nurse or optician in the comfort of an air-conditioned room, rather than braving the heat of the South Carolina summer.
This year, for the first time, smear tests will be available. The move comes after doctors were horrified to discover that around half of the women they treated last year had not had a smear test before.
The event is aimed at people who struggle to afford healthcare. Willm said that approximately 19 per cent of the population is uninsured and many more underinsured, which means that thousands of people have difficulties affording the treatment they require.
The event is expected to attract large crowds and anyone who is hoping to see a doctor is advised to arrive early.
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