Dr. Bob Plage (Wilmington) discusses the demand for dental care services with WECT News at the Wilmington MOM Clinic.
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The costs of dental care are becoming more difficult to grin and bear.
“Like medicine, dentistry hasn’t gotten any cheaper,” retired dentist and volunteer Bob Plage said.
The national average price of a dental cleaning is estimated to be at least $100, a price many can’t afford. That’s why Missions of Mercy held its free mobile dental clinic Friday through Sunday in Wilmington.
The adult clinic provides complementary dental procedures for adults who can’t afford it or don’t have access to dental health care. Procedures included cleanings, fillings and instructions based on examinations and x-rays.
Lines were out the door even at the starting time of 6 a.m. on Friday.
“We’ll probably see close to 600 to 700 patients this weekend and do $500,000 in dental work,” Plage said.
Plage said demand has grown since the last free dental clinic in 2013. Patients said the experience was invaluable.
“I think this is a wonderful idea. This is branching out meeting people all over, especially people like me in the program at the Healing Place who are sober,” patient Scott Marino said.
“So many people don’t have any other alternatives to get dental work,” Plage said. “You have a toothache, you need some teeth out, this is the place to come this weekend.”
The event is presented by the N.C. Dental Society Foundation and you can learn more online here.
Source:
WECT News Wilmington