Free Dental Clinic Strikes Again

It turned out to be a busy day at Jordan Valley Community Health Center today as more than a hundred people sat in the dentist chair.

The clinic is offering free dental care to adults in our community who may not have full access to dental care.

150 people recently stood out in the cold, waiting in line just to have their teeth assessed by a dentist.

Friday they all returned for their follow-up visits.

It's been a while since Adam Batchelder of Springfield sat in the dentist chair.  He's raising his family and living with no dental insurance.

"You just never know, kind of always gambling whether not you're going to be okay, medically.  So, yeah when something like this comes up, it's definitely a good idea to take advantage of it," he said.

Batchelder is one of the many people taking part in Jordan Valley Health Center's free dental clinic.

"I think when we went to the first day when they were doing the assessment, I think that really opened my eyes to the need in this area for dental care probably for other care," he said.

Organizers of the free clinic say this pilot program is helping to bring dental care to adults in our community.

"Several dentists have said it before. There's give kids a smile day, but there's no adult or give your parents a smile.  So, it's really just an effort of Jordan Valley to really give back.  We've had a community they've supported us so much," said Jon Mooney, health and wellness coordinator at the clinic.

Many people have little to no dental insurance.  In fact, several patients are forced to visit the emergency room just to relieve the pain of a tooth ache.

"It's a great thing as a dentist to be able to have a patient walk out and be happy because the tooth that's been bothering them for a year, is no longer bothering them.  It really makes it a great holiday season for all of the dentist, as well as for all of the people that treatment when they are no longer in pain," said dentist, Dr. Kecia Leary.

Organizers plan to host free clinics at least four times a year.  The next one is scheduled for late spring.  Organizers say most of the adults who took part in the free services this week were young men who aren't afraid to sacrifice their own health just support their families.