NC free dental clinic treats nearly 3,000

A free dental clinic held by the Missions of Mercy in Charlotte, NC, treated some 2,700 low-income and uninsured people during a 36-hour period beginning August 19, according to a story in the Charlotte Observer.

Volunteers from the North Carolina Dental Society provided more than $1 million worth of care, Mark Schmidtke, co-director of community volunteers, told the Observer. More than 1,000 volunteers, including dentists, oral surgeons, dental hygienists, and community members, showed up to help.

Many people had camped out overnight at the Charlotte Convention Center, and by early Friday morning, it reached capacity, forcing organizers to turn away hundreds, the Observer reported.

Organizers said it was the largest free dental clinic ever held by the North Carolina Missions of Mercy.