Helping people through the grind of this depression.  That's what a local clinic is trying to do. The Jordan Valley Community Health Center hosted its Care To Give Day.

It's the center's way of lowering staggering statistics. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 40% of adults went without a dental checkup in 2007.

"I've got one which is basically just the root left now and my two front ones," Linda Otte said as she described her dental X-rays. "My gums are pulling away from my teeth."   

Life's been a real pain for the woman. "They're real loose and it makes it very hard for me to bite down and eat certain things," Otte said.

Living on a fixed income with no insurance pushed her oral hygiene to the bottom of the list. Until she found relief at the Jordan Valley Community Health Center.

As part of the Care to Give Day, the Clinic helped more than 100 uninsured adults like Otte with free dental treatment and advice.

"We try to point them in the right direction if they need further treatment and try to give them the best advice we can to get it done affordably," Derek Smith D.D.S. said.

Dentists say not taking care of your teeth can cause major challenges for your health. "It can lead to pre-mature delivery." Dr. Smith exclaimed. "It can cause health problems with infections from your mouth."

After a couple days of recovery, Otte hopes her visit will get to the root of her problems.
So she can enjoy the simple things in life.

"Instead of eating soup or something soft, I can eat a hamburger without it bothering me," Otte said.

The clinic was the third of four free dental clinic days.

The next one is set for December 4th. Screening will be at the E-Plex. The only requirements for these clinics are to be at least 18 years of age and to not have dental insurance.