OKLAHOMA CITY -- Taking care of our teeth can be costly, especially if you don't have insurance. That's why this weekend dental professionals from across the state are joining together to hold a special free clinic for those in need.
It's not just about fillings and cleanings, but dental surgeries.
The best part, it's all for free.
Melissa Bagshaw is one of hundreds who lined up Friday morning at the Cox Convention Center.
For her, dental care may be a matter of life and death.
Bagshaw says, "It's been really hard to see a dentist with no insurance. Times are hard."
The clinic is held by the Mission of Mercy, a group of hundreds of dental professionals willing to donate their time to provide services to Melissa and other patients for free.
Dr. Krista Jones, a volunteer dentist, says, "These are patients that don't have insurance, don't have the money, don't have access to a facility to have dental care and we can provide it in one large area."
Bagshaw says, "I went to a dentist a month ago and it was going to cost me $3,000 to get everything that I need to get done, but I'll get a lot of it done here."
For Melissa, it's not just about the money saved, but about her life.
She says, "The dentist told me that I have such bad infection it could get in my blood stream and I could have a heart attack and stroke."
But now that won't be a problem.
Organizers say the reaction from the patients is overwhelming.
Tamara Berg, the Mission of Mercy Chair, says, "They're so grateful. There are hugs and tears and kisses. It's just wonderful to be able to help them with their need and get them in a place to further them along. Sometimes it's just fixing that front tooth so they can get a job."
Dr. Jones says, "The feeling I get from helping someone is much better, I think, than the feeling they get from being helped."
This is the second year the Mission of Mercy has held a free dental clinic in Oklahoma.
Last year it was in Tulsa.
They say next year it will move to McAlister.
They're hoping to serve about 1,000 people each day.
The doors at the Cox Convention Center will open at 5 a.m. Saturday.
Patients will be served on a first come, first served basis.
It's not just about fillings and cleanings, but dental surgeries.
The best part, it's all for free.
Melissa Bagshaw is one of hundreds who lined up Friday morning at the Cox Convention Center.
For her, dental care may be a matter of life and death.
Bagshaw says, "It's been really hard to see a dentist with no insurance. Times are hard."
The clinic is held by the Mission of Mercy, a group of hundreds of dental professionals willing to donate their time to provide services to Melissa and other patients for free.
Dr. Krista Jones, a volunteer dentist, says, "These are patients that don't have insurance, don't have the money, don't have access to a facility to have dental care and we can provide it in one large area."
Bagshaw says, "I went to a dentist a month ago and it was going to cost me $3,000 to get everything that I need to get done, but I'll get a lot of it done here."
For Melissa, it's not just about the money saved, but about her life.
She says, "The dentist told me that I have such bad infection it could get in my blood stream and I could have a heart attack and stroke."
But now that won't be a problem.
Organizers say the reaction from the patients is overwhelming.
Tamara Berg, the Mission of Mercy Chair, says, "They're so grateful. There are hugs and tears and kisses. It's just wonderful to be able to help them with their need and get them in a place to further them along. Sometimes it's just fixing that front tooth so they can get a job."
Dr. Jones says, "The feeling I get from helping someone is much better, I think, than the feeling they get from being helped."
This is the second year the Mission of Mercy has held a free dental clinic in Oklahoma.
Last year it was in Tulsa.
They say next year it will move to McAlister.
They're hoping to serve about 1,000 people each day.
The doors at the Cox Convention Center will open at 5 a.m. Saturday.
Patients will be served on a first come, first served basis.
