East Cooper Community Outreach Offers Free Dental Care
posted 07/08/09
4:27 pm
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Mount Pleasant, SC -
Job losses have left many in the Lowcountry without dental coverage, but East Cooper Community Outreach is doing its part to help those who can’t afford dental care.
"I've had teeth that have been bothering me for a long time, but recently I had one that just broke on me and I couldn’t put it off any longer, so this has been a godsend," Shanna Cumbee explained.
Cumbee had to find a ride from McClellanville to come to the free dental clinic at East Cooper Community Outreach in Mount Pleasant.
"Hopefully, I’ll be able to eat without pain and get them fixed like they should be and one less thing to worry about," said Cumbee.
20 dentists volunteer their time along with students from MUSC. Trident Tech staffs the clinic during weekdays for preventative and restorative care and two evenings a week for emergency extractions.
"I had to give back, I figured, because you never stop being a dentist, you love the interaction with the patients," said Dr. Joe Lembo, "too many cavities, too little time."
MUSC recently made a big donation to help study the link between gum disease and diabetes in the Gullah community which has helped increase the level of care for all patients.
"State-of-the-art X-Ray equipment, about $180,000 worth of equipment and it’s great because you know our clients have first class treatment," said Jack Little, Executive Director at ECCO.
"People can come and get an application which is required on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.,” Dina Walker, Dental Clinic Manager at ECCO. “We also ask that they provide documents of any household income."
In addition to proving a financial need, you must also be an adult, living east of the Cooper River, with no dental insurance.
However, the emergency clinic is open to adults living in other parts of the Lowcountry who meet the requirements.
For clinic hours, click here.
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