If you need dental care but can’t afford it, consider it. The Florida Dental Association Foundation will offer free cleanings, fillings, extractions, pediatric dentistry, x-rays, root canals and dentures at the RP Funding Center on Friday and Saturday.
The two days Florida Mission of Mercy The clinic hopes to provide professional dental care to 2,000 people. Doors open at 7 a.m., but patients are asked to arrive early because it’s first-come, first-served.
This is the first time the annual event has been in Lakeland. Previous clinics were in Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Fort Myers, Orlando, Tallahassee and West Palm Beach. Since 2014, nearly 14,000 patients have received donated care valued at $14.6 million.
Who can go? There are no income requirements. Patients may be uninsured, underinsured, or insured. However, they must be willing to wait in line and cannot have medically dangerous conditions. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
No photo ID or insurance required. Volunteer interpreters will be available to help with certain languages.
What to expect: Organizers said people should eat a good meal beforehand and plan to be at the RP Funding Center for several hours. After registration, a medical professional will perform a health check and check your blood pressure, blood clotting and blood sugar levels.
Patients will receive a full panoramic x-ray to determine their most urgent need. Treatment is limited to one quadrant of the patient’s mouth.
Not offered: The clinic will not offer braces, crowns, implants, gum surgery, bone grafting, wisdom tooth extraction or teeth whitening. Sedation and narcotics will not be available. local anesthetic only.
Who provides the care? About 300 volunteer dentists, hygienists and dental assistants provide the majority of care. In addition, some fourth-year dental students may treat patients under the supervision of faculty members. Participating schools include:
- University of Florida College of Dentistry
- Nova Southeastern University School of Dental Medicine
- LECOM School of Dentistry
Pre-registration for veterans: Military veterans can skip some of the lines by completing the registration, medical evaluation, x-ray and treatment plan on Thursday afternoon. Appointments are available between 2 and 4 p.m Treatment will then be provided on a Friday morning on a first-come, first-served basis.
Why it matters: Dental health plays a critical role in wellness. Dental pain can keep adults out of work and children out of school. More people live in Florida dental desserts from any other state. Of the 67 counties in Florida, only one has enough dentists to treat all patients. About 6 million Floridians do not have adequate access to dental care, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.
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