Kansans Queue for Hours in the Cold to Secure Appointments at Free Dental Clinic
Large crowds have gathered outside the Kansas Expocentre, as the Kansas Mission of Mercy prepares to declare their free dental clinic open for business. The clinic opened on Friday morning at 4.30 am, but people for days in freezing temperatures to get an appointment.
Over the course of the weekend, organisers and volunteers are hoping to treat more than 1,500 people. The doors will open on Friday and Saturday at 4.30 am and will close once 800 people have passed through on each day. Appointments are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Michelle Livingston is just one of many who turned up outside the temporay clinic well in advance of the opening time. She was desperate to make sure she got an appointment after suffering from toothache, headaches and painful gums over a prolonged period of time. A drug addict for more than 20 years, Michelle has now been clean for 11 months and is hoping that the dental team will help to relieve her pain and enable her to eat a wider range of foods going forward. At the moment, she worries about breaking her teeth when she eats and is hoping that her infected and decayed teeth will be removed.
Ronald Herman is another who arrived early to get in line. He visited another Mission of Mercy clinic around five years ago with his sister and can’t thank the volunteers enough for giving up their time and offering their expertise.
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