LOVELAND, Colo., July 23, 2008
Lining Up For Free Dental Care
With 1/3 Of Americans Lacking Dental Insurance, Free Clinics Become The Only Hope For Many
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(CBS)
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Even before dawn, some of these people have been waiting for hours.
When Doane visited them, he asked "what time did you guys get here?"
"One o'clock," a group said.
Others have waited for years just to see a dentist. It's a luxury the uninsured can't afford.
"Oh gosh, no way," one said. The other: "Way too expensive."
But in Loveland, Colo., for two days only, dental care is free.
Bruce Bergstrom, head of
At 5 o'clock in the morning, and the line wraps around a block.
"Isn't that tragic?" Bergstrom said. "It really is, to me it's tragic, you know."
Bergstrom knows they can't fix everything, but with an exhibit hall transformed into a massive dental clinic, they do what they can: cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals - all for free.
Eight hundred volunteers, including 113 dentists, have donated time and skill - and pay their own way.
"This is costing you a lot," Doane said to volunteer pedicatric dentist John Fales.
"Yeah, it is, but it's just a way to give back," he said.
Fales closed his Kansas City office for a few days and flew five members of his staff to the clinic.
One of his first patients is 8-year-old Jericho Rogers, who was up at 2 a.m. to get there.
"He says he hasn't seen a dentist in three or four years - are you surprised, looking at his mouth?" Doane said.
"No, not at all," Fales said. "There's a lot of children running around in the United States that have cavities just like this - and mostly just for lack of good dental insurance coverage."
Jericho's parents need help, too. His mom's job at a sandwich shop doesn't provide dental.
If she had to have six cavities filled by a dentist and pay for it, what would she have to pay?
"Probably over $1,000," said dentist Stephanie Kaufmann.
"A thousand dollars? That's my rent payment a month - so, it's either rent or get my teeth fixed… well, I'm going to go for a roof over my head!" Cindy Rogers said.
Read more about Seth's story at Couric & Co. Blog
Her husband, Richard, has a mouth full of problems, too. A job in a lumber store that doesn't cover it and a price tag he can't afford.
"Oh, no way," he said. "I'd have to sell my car to pay for that - there's no way."
About 1,500 patients were treated that day - and given more than $1.2 million worth of care to those two young to understand - and those just old enough to know the value.
"I can't afford this expense," said Mandy Lujan, who brought her infant in. "So it's a blessing to be able to bring her here and have the work done that we need to have done."
"I'm just trying to strive to keep food in the refrigerator and shoes on my feet," said Eric Berk. "I'm excited, Bro, but I'm kinda dreading it too - a root canal?"
A trip to the dentist is nothing anyone looks forward to, but imagine if you could not go at all.
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- Hello If you here of any thing like this again I would like to hear about it in advance.Because i''m disabled and need all my teeth pulled i have tooth aches all the time.Thank you very much.you can let me know at rkrengland@comcast.net
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