More than 1,400 Patients Receive Free Dental Care at Two-Day Clinic; Value of Services Estimated Over $1.2 Million

ROCK HILL, SC – An estimated 1,412 patients received more than $1.2 million in free dental services at the sixth annual Dental Access Days event held on August 8 and 9 at First Baptist Church Rock Hill.

Dental Access Days is organized by the South Carolina Dental Association and sponsored by Delta Dental. Over a period of 26 hours, more than 300 clinical volunteers delivered a range of services including x-rays, professional cleanings, extractions and restorative care (i.e. fillings). Clinical volunteers included dentists, periodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists, dental hygienists, assistants and students from the dental school at the Medical University of South Carolina.

More than 700 non-clinical volunteers, more than half of them members of First Baptist Church Rock Hill, helped with registering and escorting patients through each step of the process. DentaQuest and numerous other dental companies helped sponsor the event with funding and equipment.

In addition to dental services, all patients received helpful tips for establishing and maintaining a healthy mouth, along with complementary dental supplies, including toothpaste, a toothbrush and dental floss.

Including this year, Dental Access Days has provided more than 8,900 adults with $4.5 million in free dental care since the event’s inception in 2009.

“This year’s event exceeded our wildest expectations,” said Phil Latham, executive director of the South Carolina Dental Association. “Dental Access Days is a vital part of the public service that our members provide to the community each year. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to give people a new smile, which not only helps their self-esteem, but may also give them the added confidence for job interviews and other community involvement.”

“We were happy to lend our support as the lead sponsor of Dental Access Days again this year,” said Spann Laffitte, vice president of sales and account management for Delta Dental. “As a nonprofit organization, our company has a social mission to improve oral health in the communities we serve, and this year’s event once again reminded us of the importance of helping our fellow citizens receive access to these critical dental services.”

For more information, visit www.scda.org or www.deltadentalsc.com.