Thousands of people lined up at the Southeast Expo in McAlester to get free dental care.
The Oklahoma Mission of Mercy is holding its third annual two day free dental clinic. 1400 volunteers will provide free dental care for the uninsured, underinsured and those that cannot afford dental care.
Some people needed simple dental work.
Dennis Ingram said, "Teeth cleaning and fillings.Virginia Mosco said, "Had cleaning done."
Others needed a little more.
Mary Higgins said, "I thought I was coming in to get a filling but it turns out I needed a root canal."
Some driving hours to get to McAlester for the 2012 Mission of Hope.
Dr. Douglas Auld, President of Oklahoma Dental Association, said,
With more than 1,400 volunteers from across the state donating their own time, it doesn't cost people like Virginia Mosco a dime.
"This is the dental community way of giving back to ease the burden on the community and to get them the treatment they need."Mosco said, "It's really great. I wouldn't have been able to do it any other way and there's a lot of people here that couldn't do it either."
Higgins said, "It was huge blessing to be able to come. It was worth the wait and the hospitality was so nice. It was a great experience."
Ingram said, "Man the economy the way it is. It's a godsend. It's great."Oklahoma is ranked 51st in the nation when it comes to dental care, because many Oklahomans can’t afford to visit the dentist.
The clinic has 130 chairs and will treat an estimated 2,000 patients over two days. Dentists will provide cleanings, fillings, extractions and a limited number of anterior root canals.
There will be no eligibility or income requirements to be treated, and event organizers expect to serve 2,000 children and adults on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is funded by a grant from the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation.
It costs more than $1 million to host an event like this, not counting volunteer work and all of the donated supplies.
Dr. Auld said, "There's no price tag you can put on a smile."
He added, "It just warms our heart. It's just amazing for us. We get a lot out of it and that's why we're here, to give back."
