CRESTVIEW — Sixty-eight Northwest Florida residents now have improved dental health, and it didn't cost them a cent.
The residents, ages 6 and up, benefited from the Florida Department of Health's March 30 volunteer training event. DOH volunteers, provided by Tallahassee Supervisor of Volunteer Health Services Christopher Gainous, screened patients for eligibility April 3 in a mobile vehicle. They assigned appointments for treatment April 6-10.
The clinic, sponsored by the Baker Lions Club, provided more than $25,000 in dental services for attendees.
Volunteers included Samma Brannon, Ruby Carr, John Cosson, Joyce Cosson, William Courtney, Laura Fountain, Joye Garrett, Royce Henley, Mary Ann Henley, Ruby Kelley, Tammy Lawson, Faye Nall, Ida Powell and Jan Walker.
This is the second time the mobile unit has come to Northwest Florida, courtesy of the Okaloosa Baptist Association.
Henley, a Baker resident, said, "The mobile dental unit is fully furnished by the Florida Baptist Dental Convention. They travel throughout the state, usually in South Florida."
Next year's event hasn't been scheduled, but Henley and her husband, Royce, look forward to helping again with the effort, which she said is "very rewarding."
The Baker Area Ministerial Association and the Baker Lions Club provided fellowship to those who were waiting for dental work. The association also provided lunches to dental workers throughout the event.
Jennifer Holland-Wyer, DMD, Crestview; Orilius G. Banks, DDS, Fort Walton Beach; Susan Welch, DDS, Fort Walton Beach; Kristin Shinnick, DMD, Fort Walton Beach; and Oliver Broutin, DMD, Niceville, provided patient treatment.
Nurses Danielle Crider, Cheri Denney, Beth Fountain, Joye Garrett, Debi Luther and Carolyn Williams also participated in the project.
Organizers presented dental kits to people after their appointment. The kits included toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss and age-appropriate tracts. They also included a Bible, all of which were donated by Joe H. Anderson Jr.
In addition, "Acteens of First Baptist Church of Crestview (a mission group for teenagers) provided decorated drink cups used in the dental kits of younger patients," Mary Ann Henley said.
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Volunteers provide more than $25K in Baker dental services