Healthy Smiles free dental clinic a huge success

Over a thousand patients were treated by area dentists and dental hygienists who volunteered at a free dental clinic held at Hedgesville High School Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

The clinic ran from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day and according to spokesperson Susan Walker of the Eastern Panhandle Missions of Mercy Healthy Smiles Initiative who sponsored the event, patients were lined up outside the school's doors before the 6 a.m. start time.

Walker said 700 patients were seen and treated on Friday with another 450 expected on Saturday. Approximately 75 area dentists, 45 dental hygienists, 38 dental students and 800 volunteers were at the high school to provide the free dental care, Walker said.

This was the first Missions of Mercy Healthy Smiles Initiative held in West Virginia and the 37th state to host the event.

Well organized

Dentists and patients agreed that the clinic was well organized.

Patients were first screened at a triage station, and then sent to a numbing and X-ray station, before going to other stations for treatment in the school cafeteria or gymnasium.

Dental services provided were cleaning, extraction, fitting for dentures and general oral and dental health checkups.

Morgan County

represented

Area dentists Dr. Thomas W. Leslie, Dr. Zachary Law and Dr. Magic M. Miller volunteered at the high school. Leslie was Director of Dental Operations and managed the patients and dentists, Miller and Law treated patients.

Miller was accompanied by her mother Retha, who is a dental hygienist, and her sisters Marti and Mystic.

The final patient count was 1,153, Leslie said.