Dr. Leon Cerniway takes a look at an X-ray in OBI's mobile dental van. The doctor was on-hand for the three-day dental mission in Norfolk, Va.

NORFOLK, Va. – Operation Blessing and the Oral Health Care of South Hampton Roads held a three-day dental mission that was free and open to the pubic this past weekend.

Volunteer dentists and hygienists provided the free dental care on a first-come-first-serve basis.          

"The need for dental care is widespread," said Dean Nowotny, senior manager of domestic programs for Operation Blessing. "There are not many avenues to find help with those needs and OBI is working to fill that void."

The mission was held at First Baptist Church, 418 East Bute Street in Norfolk and ran Friday and Saturday.

OBI's state-of-the-art mobile dental clinic was onsite joining US Navy mobile dental vans as well. The OBI van houses two fully-furnished dental rooms, each with x-ray capabilities. It also holds a panoramic x-ray and is handicap accessible via a fully-retractable wheelchair lift. Services provided include fillings, extractions, cleanings, x-rays and medication.

Apart from this event, the mobile dental clinic is typically available for service three days a week in the local Hampton Roads area.

"There are people with infections and in serious pain who don't have the luxury of going to the neighborhood dentist," Nowotny said. "We want to help meet their needs while putting a new smile of their faces."

In addition to the dental care, the Lion's Club was on-hand to offer optical services.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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