Saturday, October 24, 2009

Hundreds line up for free dental care in N.C. | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com

Hundreds line up for free dental care in N.C. | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com:

"The free dental clinic attracted as many as 600 people seeking care from about 150 volunteer dentists and hygienists...

A second clinic is scheduled today, with about the same number expected to wait for help on a first-come, first-served basis.

'The need is great,' said Chapel Hill dentist Keith Taylor, a regular volunteer with the Missions of Mercy dental program. 'There's well over 1-1/2 million people in this state that absolutely cannot afford the basic dental services.'"

"Many of the people who come to the free clinics are in discomfort from gum disease, abscesses or severe cavities, Taylor said.

'In general, we probably do three times as many extractions as we do fillings because pain is a great motivator,' Taylor said. 'When people are in pain, they want to be seen.'"

North Carolina is 88% fluoridated