USA » Second Annual Free Dental Clinic

onora, CA-- Last month Sonora Regional Medical Center offered free dental services at the Forest Road Dental Clinic, giving patients plenty of reasons to smile.

The Medical Center invited area dentists and dental hygienists to volunteer their time and skills to serve local Medi-Cal patients who would otherwise go without preventive and restorative dental care.

The Free Dental Clinic that ran for two days in February, was the second year the Medical Center has offered this free service to Medi-Cal patients. State budget cuts in 2009 reduced dental coverage for adults to emergency services only with no coverage for preventive or restorative care.

"I am grateful for our local dentists and dental hygienists who so willingly give back to our community through their volunteerism, helping our residents who are unable to afford dental care," said Jeff Eller, Sonora Regional Medical Center president and CEO.

Overall, eight dental hygienists and eight dentists volunteered at the clinic, providing 81 patients with over $25,000 worth of dental care.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com