Whenever health care is discussed in this country (and it's discussed every day), dental care never seems to garner as much coverage as do medical procedures. But the fact is there are huge amounts of people who are suffering from issues with their teeth and gums that are going untreated everyday.
Trying to fill in the void (if only for two days) is Florida Mercy of Mission, a program of the Florida Dental Association. They are making it possible for up to 800 people with serious dental issues to get free care this coming Friday and Saturday at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
A spokesperson from the Florida Dental Association would not offer comment to CL, instead directing us to their website that lists the complete information about the event.
Doors open will open at 5:30 a.m on both Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29..Patients seen on first-come, first-served basis with approximately 800 individuals treated each day. Patient quota typically is reached by 10 a.m., so officials involved with the event are urging people to arrive early.
The site says that to help maintain the first-come, first-served order of treatment, everyone will receive a numbered wristband and a nametag. They will then be escorted from Gate 2-SE to the Registration Dome Area to complete a registration form including your medical and dental history, and be asked to complete a survey.
The clinic is set up to provide cleanings, fillings, extractions and a limited number of transitional, removable acrylic partials for the replacement of front teeth. Full dentures and denture repair services are not provided. Can a patient with multiple needs get them all addressed? The website says, "Depending on availability, you will be routed to the appropriate department to treat at least one of your top 3 priorities. For example, if your need to have fillings outweighs your need for a cleaning, you will be referred to the fillings department. When that treatment is complete you are welcome to return to the line for that day or return to the line for the next day for additional treatment."
Again, to get complete information, go to flamom.floridadental.org/patients.
