Free dental clinic provides care

The N.C. Dental Society’s free adult dental clinic held recently at the Garber Ministry Center treated 613 patients and delivered $355,556 in dental care.

More than 44 volunteer dentists from across the state participated in the clinic, according to a press release.

Patients received free examinations, x-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions during the two-day clinic. Eligibile patients were over 18, did not earn more than 200 percent of the national poverty level annually and had no dental insurance.

“The New Bern Missions of Mercy event is one of a dozen N.C. Missions of Mercy (NCMOM) clinics held in the North Carolina each year. These clinics typically treat between 300 and 400 patients during a weekend. The New Bern project was considerably larger thanks to the huge outpouring of community support,” according to Dr. Bill Blaylock, NCMOM director.

According to Blaylock, more than a million Medicaid-eligible adults in North Carolina are unable to see a dentist regularly.

“Many of these people have serious oral health problems that can cause severe pain and pose a serious health risk. With high unemployment in the state and the loss of dental insurance by so many, we are seeing a major increase in NCMOM patients,” Blaylock said.

NCMOM is an affiliate program of the N.C. Dental Society and is funded by the N.C. Dental Health Fund, a nonprofit organization.