Free Dental Day serves 62 patients totaling $35,640 in care

January 11, 2016

36Pab,

Lexington, Ky. (WTVQ) – On Saturday, January 9, nine area dentists, hygienists and dental assistants joined forces to provide dental services to uninsured patients of Central and Eastern Kentucky. Services included fillings, cleanings and extractions.

During the day 62 patients were seen and provided care totaling over $35,000, which was free of charge to the patients. The day began at 8:30; however, there were people in such need of dental care, a couple from Manchester arrived and slept in their care at 11:30 pm Friday night and the second person in line arrived at 4:30 am.

The patients ranged in age from 3 to 85, with each patient receiving a dental exam. In addition to exams, 54 x-rays, 63 fillings, 9 cleanings and 78 extractions were provided. To qualify for services, the patients had no dental insurance and have an income that is 200% or below the federal poverty guidelines.

The Free Dental Day took place in the offices of Commonwealth Smiles and Drs. Lange, Rider and Reynolds, located in Lexington, KY. The dentists who selflessly donated their time and supplies are: Dr. Gina Johnson-Higgins; Dr. Mark King; Dr. Jessica Kress; Dr. Steve Rider; Dr. Brandon Stapleton; Dr. Kate von Lackum; Dr. John Weaver; and Dr. Allison Wright.

Organizers hope to offer another Free Dental Day in the near future as the need is great. Future events will depend on donations from the community! Currently, over 700 Fayette County residents are on waiting lists at local free dental clinics; this high number is what motivated additional local dentists to provide free care to their neighbors.