WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Dental surgery clinic now offered at Lynchburg's free clinic
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Tight financial times are putting a strain on our oral health. Doctors say important dental surgeries are becoming an afterthought as many try to save money. Lynchburg's free clinic is helping out with its first ever dental surgery clinic.
Getting a root canal wasn't an option for James Hignett.
"I can't afford to go to a regular dentist. The cost is too high," said Hignett.
The procedure can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Hignett's having the work done for just $10 at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia.
"Whatever I get done here, I get it at a reduced rate and it means a lot to me," said Hignett.
The clinic normally can't offer oral surgeries. They have to refer patients to outside doctors who don't mind offering care at a reduced rate.
"There are only so many private referrals we can make into the community," said Bob Barlow, free clinic executive director.
Barlow and the free clinic landed a $22,000 grant from the Virginia Health Care Foundation. It's paying for 60 people to get root canals, crowns and impressions.
"That will take a big bite out of the number of patients we have who needed to have endodontic work done," said Barlow.
Patients aren't the only ones benefiting from the clinic. It's also practice for a group of doctors in training. Students from the VCU School of Dentistry in Richmond are working with local doctors, volunteering their time as mentors.
"It's great experience for us, because we get to do a lot of root canals back-to-back. It's a great way to learn that procedure," said Davis Gardner, VCU dentistry student.
As students learn, patients avoid the pain of putting the surgery off.
"My brother pulls his teeth. I wouldn't do that," said Hignett.
