Texas dentists travel from all over the state to perform dental procedures for needy patients. This past weekend, the dentists helped more than 600 people in a 48-hour dental marathon. News 8's Dr. Linda Niessen has the wrap-up.It's called the Texas Mission of Mercy. The idea is simple: set up more than thirty dental chairs. See hundreds of patients in two days--patients like Maria Garza.
“Oh my gosh, I think it’s a blessing. That’s the way I feel," said Maria. "And to get an appointment like the waiting line out there is just outrageous. I was very fortunate to get an appointment. And I’m very excited about it also.”
Maria had two teeth removed. Dentists provide all the dental care free of charge.
Dr. Carmen Smith, a Dentist in the program, said, “It’s just so wonderful to be able to give my services to people who probably wouldn’t come to my office or any of my colleagues offices.”
All the dental equipment must be portable. Here's how this works. You point this hand-held x-ray unit and you get a digital image immediately on the computer.
So far, Texas dentists have provided more than three million dollars in free dental services. They've served almost 10,000 patients during 13 different events.
Dr. Richard Smith, another of the dentists in the program, said, “We found out that there was a lot of mission work that needed to be done right here in the state. We can do it in our own backyard. We’ve got Texas dentists helping Texas citizens on an issue that is very important: access to care.”
At the latest event in Dallas, a new mobile dental van provided free panoramic x-rays. It's one additional way to help patients obtain treatment to relieve dental pain.
“Putting smiles on everyone’s faces," said the Doctor, "I’m looking forward to that.”
For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.
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