Two hundred people from Santa Cruz got bused to San Jose's Convention Center last weekend for free dental treatments as part of a promotion called "CDA Cares," an abbreviation for the California Dental Association Cares.
The results for those who couldn't afford dental care on their own were stunning.
SEE VIDEO HERE
“After years without dental insurance, my teeth just rotted basically" said Linda Brinkman. I can’t tell you how much this free care means, not just for me, but for my kids who have been embarrassed to be seen with their Mom. I haven’t even eaten properly because I don’t have a full set of teeth, so it’s affecting my digestion, everything. When Dientes told me I was eligible, I was so grateful I started to cry.”
Locals were pre-screened by Dientes Community Dental Care, a federally-funded 10-chair center in Santa Cruz that serves those who can't afford care. (See video above.)
Patients include the homeless and 96 percent of those treated live under the poverty line. There were 2,000 people served in San Jose last Saturday and Sunday.
“As healthcare providers, it was imperative for us to find a way to help the County’s low-income residents – from seniors to families to the working poor to homeless people – access this amazing opportunity for free dental care,” said Dientes’ executive director Laura Marcus. “Dental care is really the next front-line in the fight for affordable health care, and we’re seeing more people than ever fall through the cracks.”
More than 1,200 volunteers, including volunteer dentists giving their time to help thousands, the CDA Cares event provided cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures and oral health care education from 100 dental stations set up at the Convention Center for the two-day event.
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