Despite changes in health care in recent years that have resulted in improved access to medical care for vulnerable Americans, many struggling populations still go without essential dental care. Too often, dental care is seen as a luxury that our uninsured or underinsured neighbors cannot afford. In many cases, people will deal with dental pain for months and eventually seek treatment in the ER when the pain becomes too severe. This highlights the need for community health events such as HopeFest, which provide these essential dental services for free to our neighbors who struggle to afford them.
“I have had bad teeth all my life. As I got older things seemed to get worse and this past year even more so to where my front teeth broke and I was devastated…I came to [the clinic] and they changed my life. I was given the most wonderful, compassionate doctors…they reconstructed my front teeth and gave me my smile back.” — Zina, clinic guest