The dental clinic offered preventive and restorative dental care that included exams, x-rays, fillings, extractions and oral hygiene treatments.

OBI's mobile dental van is a state-of-the-art dental clinic with two fully-furnished dental operatories and x-ray machines.

VIRGINIA BEACH - For many, a trip to the dentist's office is not something to celebrate. But for residents of Virginia Beach, Va., it was not only worth celebrating – it was something to smile about.

On Nov. 3 and 4, the U.S. Navy, Operation Blessing and the Oral Health Coalition of South Hampton Roads partnered together with local dental associations to host a weekend medical mission at Rock Church and provide free dental care to those in need. Eight dentists and eleven hygienists were joined in their volunteer efforts by some 40 dental assistant students from local universities and schools.

"This is a great opportunity for the people who don't have money to get the care they need," said Gloria, who was all smiles after being treated at the clinic.

A former drug-addict, today Gloria is celebrating nine months of sobriety and a new start in life. She was referred to the free outreach through a local civil services agency, and expressed gratitude for the free treatment and its part in her improving life.

"God is good," she said. "I couldn't have done this without him."

At the two-day outreach, the clinic offered preventive and restorative dental care that included exams, x-rays, fillings, extractions and oral hygiene treatments. Patients came to the clinic as walk-ins and referrals from local civil service agencies and medical clinics.

Shelia Crakower, CDA, is vice president of the Tidewater Dental Assistants Society in the Virginia Beach area. For years she has worked alongside Operation Blessing, and is committed to the purpose of her work.

"It is a real pleasure to do this," she said. "It gives you great satisfaction. The people here need dental care like all other people, and they really appreciate everything you do for them."

"It's a way of giving back to the community," she added.

OBI's mobile dental van is a state-of-the-art dental clinic that houses two fully-furnished dental operatories, each with x-ray capabilities. It also holds a panoramic x-ray and is handicap accessible via a fully-retractable wheelchair lift. The mobile dental clinic is typically available for service three days a week.

"We see an average of 10 patients a day," said Oscar Marcano, a retired Navy dental technician and OBI's dental van coordinator. "We have about an hour per patient, and we try to do what we can."

Marcano described one particularly memorable experience.

"A woman came to us with a tooth infection," he said. "She had just been diagnosed with cancer and the doctors told her she needed to treat the infection before she could begin radiation treatment. After visiting us, she was able to begin treatment the following week."

"It's really rewarding work," Marcano added.

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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