Hundreds of people flock to Roanoke for free dental care
Last weekend hundreds of people queued for hours for free dental care in Roanoke.
The free clinic, which ran throughout the weekend, attracted hundreds of patients from the local area, many of whom had very poor dental health and were in desperate need of attention. The clinic was run by the Mission of Mercy, an organisation that helps people who struggle to afford basic services such as health and dental care.
During the clinic, over one thousand patients received free care and another one thousand were turned away as there was simply not enough time to see everyone. The patients received basic treatments including tooth extractions and fillings.
The huge turnout highlights the problems facing millions of Americans without health and dental insurance; without clinics such as those run by the Mission of Mercy, these patients would struggle to afford dental care and would go without the treatment they desperately need. Today, dental health is a subject of grave concern for health ministers and dental professionals, as statistics reveal that millions are going without dental care and standards of oral health are declining on a national scale.
It is hoped that the work of clinics such as the Roanoke clinic will continue to provide care for those most in need; however, organisations and professionals recognise that these clinics are only able to treat a tiny proportion of the population. President Obama has vowed to change the structure and accessibility of dental care as part of the health reform bill.
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