Dr. Leon Cerniway talks with Theresa about her tooth extraction after a visit to the OBI mobile dental clinic.

OBI's mobile dental van is a state-of-the-art dental clinic that houses two fully-furnished dental rooms, each with x-ray capabilities.

CHESAPEAKE, Va - For months, Theresa was in too much pain to eat. Some days she couldn't talk, while other days, the pain would shoot up the side of her face and into her ear.

"It was horrible," she said. "I was barely able to sleep at night or do much of anything else."

On March 12, however, Theresa found help and medical care for her problems when Operation Blessing's mobile dental van and a team of volunteer dentists pulled into the parking lot of the Adult Clinic of South Norfolk in Chesapeake offering free dental care to patients.

For Theresa, who lives on Social Security, the problems started when a prior filling fell out, which allowed bacteria to build up and eventually destroy the tooth. She had been in pain for months but couldn't afford to go to the dentist. In addition, she is battling a second round of cancer.

"I already feel a lot better," she said after her tooth was extracted. "I'm relieved to know I will finally be able to eat again."

OBI's mobile dental van is a state-of-the-art dental clinic that 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. The mobile dental clinic is typically available for service three days a week in the local Hampton Roads area.

Services provided include fillings, extractions, cleanings, x-rays and medication. At the Chesapeake location, nine patients alone averaged more than $5,000 in free dental services.

Typically, patients come to the mobile clinic as walk-ins and referrals from local civil service agencies and medical clinics.

Pam gets her teeth examined and a cavity filled at the mobile dental van.

"So far, we have partnered with 22 organizations and churches in the Hampton Roads area," said Oscar Marcano, a retired Navy dental technician and dental van coordinator for OBI.

Pam, 37, of Chesapeake, made an appointment to have her teeth checked. Her job at a radiological company does not offer health insurance so her parents usually pay for her annual cleanings.

However, she felt she was developing a problem and needed care before her scheduled check-up.

A small cavity had formed in between her teeth where there was a gap in a prior filling. The dentist filled it and told her she was doing a good job with brushing and flossing.

"It's hard when you don't have the money or insurance to pay for the medical attention you need," Pam said. "This free service is so valuable."

Pam, who had a brain aneurysm at 24 and a heart attack at 27, is on medication that runs her nearly $250 a month, which she pays for out-of-pocket with the help of her parents and the Adult Clinic of South Norfolk.

"You can't live life right when your teeth hurt," Theresa said. "When they are fixed, you can smile and go on."

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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