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Clinic to provide free dental care in Greensboro

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Comments (24)

Thursday, November 10, 2011

(Updated 1:09 pm)

By Nancy McLaughlin
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — Last year, a major equipment failure cut short a free two-day dental clinic at First Presbyterian, with people sleeping overnight on the church’s lawn to get a place in line.

“These people had driven all night from Dare County, hoping to be seen,” said Leila Moore, coordinator of the Cone Health Congregational Nursing Program. “This poor lady sat there and cried and cried, and it broke my heart.

“The need is that great.”

Moore’s group is organizing the first-come, first-served Missions of Mercy dental clinic, which will be held Friday and Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum. Her group is working with the N.C. Dental Society, which sets up makeshift clinics and works with local dentists and volunteers to staff them.

The Greensboro clinic, which is moving to the coliseum this year, annually draws thousands of people with dental needs. The group’s goal is to treat 1,000 of them this weekend. The volunteer dentists, dental assistants and hygienists are setting up 72 treatment chairs.

Organizers will use the extra space to set up a large waiting area for hundreds of people at a time — though they say participants should be prepared for the weather and to stand in long lines outside.

Services range from teeth cleaning to routine fillings and surgical proceedings.

“I know that the premise is we try to take care of the one or two most urgent things they have, but my experience is practitioners try to do as much for an individual as they can,” said Dr. Charles Norman, one of the participating Greensboro dentists. “I think we try to eliminate as many of the urgent issues as they have, so they won’t be back in that position.”

Last year, that included a man in a low-paying job without health insurance who was missing work because of abscessed teeth.

He had been to the emergency room three times and had received antibiotics, but he couldn’t get the teeth pulled — until he got to the front of the line in Greensboro.

The donated services in Greensboro should total at least $500,000 for this weekend.

A 36-hour clinic in Charlotte recently provided care for 2,145 people, with an estimated value of $1.1 million.

“Many of them sat there for 30 hours to get treated,” said Dr. Bill Blaylock, who oversees Missions of Mercy. “We have seen a trend of more and more people who had good paying jobs and dental benefits, and now they’ve lost the jobs and the benefits, and they’re turning to us to get their routine care.”

This weekend’s stop is one of 12 in North Carolina this year and is open to anyone in the state.

“I stress to people it’s not just a Greensboro event,” Moore said.

Child care is not available.

Local organizers have been working since January to raise $23,000 for supplies. Others have been donated. The group has about 600 volunteers, including general practice doctors, nurses and others in the health care field, but also department store employees and retired teachers who will help register people as they show up.

“It’s tremendous detail, but when you stand in the midst of that room, you cannot help but be touched because of the tremendous need and also the generosity of people who are willing to volunteer their time and come be a part of this,” Moore said.

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Jerry Wolford (News & Record)

Photo Caption: Paul Shelor works with a patient at a prior dental clinic for low-income individuals in Greensboro.

WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

What: Free dental clinic (first-come, first-served)
When: Doors open 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Where: Greensboro Coliseum; expect long lines outside.
Information: 832-4899

Picture ID required.
Must be 18 and over with income 200 percent below federal poverty guidelines: $21,660 for singles; $29,340 for married couples; $44,100 for family of four.
Proof of income required (such as): Guilford County Orange Card, 2010 tax return; W-2 form, 1099 form; four current pay stubs; 4506-T form if taxes not filed in 2010.
Other income/award letters accepted: Social Security; child support; disability; unemployment; worker’s compensation; food stamps.

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sickandtired

November 10, 2011 - 6:44 am EST

My biggest fear is to be sick and not be able to afford to get help. I have worked my whole life but feel in today's economy this fear could come true any day. I wish someone could solve our health care situation.

timflowers

November 10, 2011 - 7:20 am EST

So, dentists only work three and a half days per week and charge hundreds if not thousands of dollars for relatively simple procedures and then try to look like good samaritans by making people humiliate themselves in a dental services "soup line"? Something is seriously wrong here.

Last time I went to the dentist, she gave me a written "estimate" of over $5000! She wouldn't even discuss lower cost options...there was real pressure for me to buy all the services. It's worse than buying a new car.

retiree

November 10, 2011 - 8:13 am EST

You need to look at the post by notorious. Your assumptions about dentists is incorrect as well. Just because a dentist has fees that you believe are higher than your ability to pay doesn't mean they are at fault. Have you tried to apply for dental school? Do you have the grades in college to attend? Do you have the money it will take to complete your schooling? Do you have the money it will take to start up a practice with the heavy investment in equipment, offices, and support staff? Do you have the time to spend each day researching and learning about the more modern techniques of dentistry? Can you spot cancer in someone's mouth so they might avoid having radical oral surgery? And lastly, are you willing to donate your time to people to help fix their dental problems? My dentist does clinics like this in other areas, including in foreigh countries, plus he's a Major in the US Army Reserves which says something about him and his honor for our country. Do you do any of these things?

Panacea

November 10, 2011 - 8:35 am EST

Applause

destinys mother in law

November 10, 2011 - 10:51 am EST

The banks are more than willing to set up a lucrative dental office or loan money for a dental education. The payback is enormous and a safe bet. The government subsidizes all forms of medical education very heavily. Hats off to studious dental students! Too bad the dental profession limits the number of dental students and hence maintains a very non-competitive market place. If we had more dentists, perhaps some more would be available for those with broken teeth from Friday through Sunday. Instead, they are forced to go to the emergency department for expensive and non-dental pain relief.

Traveler

November 10, 2011 - 9:59 am EST

This is where people truly show their lack of business knowledge. The above comment seems to suggest that dentist (or any other business owner or professional) keeps all of the revenue the business generates. People who do not run a business do not understand the cost of business. Dentist have several employees to pay. Equipment is expensive. Rent must be paid. There are advertising cost. There is business liability insurance. Employee benefits take a large expense. Taxes (income withholding, workers comp, et al). I don't know the figures, but I doubt dentist get to keep more than 5 cents for every dollar their practice generates.

destinys mother in law

November 10, 2011 - 10:46 am EST

Since the average dentist in Greensboro works only Monday through Thursday for an average salary of over $400K, there may be some financial wiggle room for treating the indigent.

retiree

November 10, 2011 - 12:19 pm EST

You are incorrect and you're casting a wide swath without evidence which I have found to be a recurring theme. Do you have income surveys to prove your points, or the physicians tax records, etc?

Traveler

November 10, 2011 - 1:06 pm EST

Where in the world did you get those figures. "The average dentist in Greensboro works 3 1/2 days and gets over $400,000"??????

If you are talking about income after expenses, I do not believe that.

That statement is unreal. Please identify your source.

itsjustron

November 11, 2011 - 8:30 am EST

I am at a loss, that these professional donate their time and in alot of case their equipment, and supplies, not to mention other staff that isnt necessarily dentists, and yet it somehow becomes a discussion on the size of their paycheck and thier office hours?? How frecon sad is that?

notoriousBLOG

November 10, 2011 - 7:22 am EST

God bless these people for what they do. I know for a fact that my own dentist is regularly volunteering his own time and resources to help those who can not afford good dental care. People are much too critical of these professionals when they really don't understand exactly what it is that these people do to help others.

The_Doctor

November 10, 2011 - 11:55 am EST

Agreed. It's good to see people doing something decent and trying to help people in need.

Perhaps some NR commenters are envious that dentists are in a position to make a very comfortable income. How dare they profit from their years of investment in their education and credentials?!

Panacea

November 10, 2011 - 8:40 am EST

Our teeth are very important to us. Unhealthy teeth can lead to other health problems.

Unfortunately, good dental care is out of the reach of many people.

There are other options, though. Schools that offer dental programs often offer low cost care to the community. GTCC has such a program. You spend a lot more time in the chair because you have students working on you, but I've heard good things about their clinic, and they have a supervising dentist.

destinys mother in law

November 10, 2011 - 10:44 am EST

Poor dental health is one of the greatest risk factors for cardiac disease (a very expensive proposition). It is also a most important factor in getting hired for a job. I would rather pay taxes for everyone's dental health than pay exorbitant insurance premiums for heart disease and higher taxes for unemployed/sick people.

retiree

November 10, 2011 - 12:11 pm EST

Have you thought about moving to Cuba, Sweden, or Russia?

Laura

November 10, 2011 - 9:38 am EST

They should be applauded, but this story illustrates such a huge problem in America. Is the best we can do is hope for some generous souls who can throw a few crumbs to the 99%? Is that really the best we can do??

What we really need is an end to the bloated military offense budget so that we can fund true health care reform -- instead of the sell-out to parasitic insurance companies that the corporate lackeys in Congress and the White House recently put together.

We need single payer -- it isn't a perfect solution, but it's a heck of a lot better than what we have now, with insurance companies gobbling up 30 - 40 percent of our health care costs, and returning nothing to the economy.

destinys mother in law

November 10, 2011 - 10:41 am EST

When we rely on the generosity of the community, we get this once a year generous contribution. Hats off to the dental community. But as we all know, one trip to the dentist, even at the wonderful coliseum, does not solve the problem of community dental needs. Just like the United Way does not solve the problem of poverty in Greensboro but does show the great generosity of our community and does help a great deal. Volunteerism is a wonderful feature of America, but does not solve its ongoing problems.

retiree

November 10, 2011 - 12:16 pm EST

Speaking of single payer, why not have a single payer for your education, or your mortgage, or your food bill, etc? From my reading of your post, what you are proposing is the end to capitalism or the benefits to those who are creative, etc. Would you tell Steve Jobs that he could only make so much money and the majority of his income would be taxed to death? Or a movie star who makes $20,000,000 a picture that they can only keep $5,000,000 because the rest is for everyone else?

This whole issue of equality is based on the notion that there should be equal outcomes, but our constitution provides for equal opportunity.

sickandtired

November 10, 2011 - 1:50 pm EST

I don't believe everyone has an equal opportunity. We all do not have the same start in life or the same education or experiences. I also believe many people are overpaid while the real workers are underpaid. I do not believe actors are worth that much money. Just my opinion.

Traveler

November 10, 2011 - 9:53 am EST

These health care professionals are doing a great thing.

I have a question if anyone can help.

Does Obamacare include dental care? I heard a couple of times it did, but what I see mentioned is basic health care, not dental, visual, etc.

Panacea

November 10, 2011 - 11:36 am EST

No, the Affordable Care Act does not specifically include dental care. Health plans are not required to include it, although they may.

The ACA does provide for improving education related to oral care but that's not the same thing as requiring dental insurance.

destinys mother in law

November 10, 2011 - 10:36 am EST

Are you referring to the Affordable Care Act?
What if my dental (or vision) benefits are structured as excepted benefits under HIPAA? Does that exemption except my dental (or vision) plan from the Affordable Care Act’s market reforms?
Yes. If benefits constitute excepted benefits under HIPAA, the requirements of the Affordable Care Act’s market reforms do not apply. Under HIPAA, dental (and vision) benefits generally constitute excepted benefits if they:

Are offered under a separate policy, certificate, or contract of insurance; or
Are not an integral part of the plan. For dental (or vision) benefits to be considered not an integral part of the plan (whether insured or self-insured), participants must have a right not to receive the coverage and, if they do elect to receive the coverage, must pay an additional premium.
Accordingly, if a plan provides its dental (or vision) benefits pursuant to a separate election by a participant and the plan charges even a nominal employee contribution towards the coverage, the dental (or vision) benefits would constitute excepted benefits, and the market reform provisions would not apply to that coverage.

Traveler

November 10, 2011 - 3:30 pm EST

You must be a "progressive" who works on Demoractic campaigns, and likely work in governemnt. Most of the world refers to it as Obamacare. Live with it. It would also be helpful if you would explain your ideas in simple terms. Government speak is not a good thing.

polaroid

November 10, 2011 - 5:40 pm EST

Goes to show you what community can do without the goverment involved. I haven't seen any taxpayer money in this yet and hope there isn't. I support this as long as I'm not paying for it.