Volunteer dentists will provide basic fillings and extractions to 50 adults on a first-come, first-serve basis.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENTAL PRACTICE FINANCING

Staff Report

LAKE WORTH, Fla. – Many adults in the community can’t afford basic dental treatment and, for the third year in a row, the organizers of Free Dentistry Day plan to do something about it.

On Wednesday, April 26, dentists affiliated with Atlantic Coast Dental Research Clinic (ACDRC), aided by Palm Beach State Dental Health Service students, will treat adults, 18 and older, at the Dental Health building, located on the Palm Beach State College (PBSC) Lake Worth campus, 4200 Congress Ave in Lake Worth.

Adults who need, but can’t afford, fillings or extractions will be seen on a firstcome, first-serve basis and should be at the site before the doors open at 6 a.m. Treatment will begin at 8 a.m. A total of 50 patients will be seen.

The treatment will be limited to fillings and extractions. Advanced dental work (crowns and bridges) will not be performed. Also there will be no dental cleanings or comprehensive exams. By focusing on fillings and extractions, the dentists will be able to do the most good for adults who can’t afford these services.

Dentists licensed to practice in Florida will perform the treatments. The dentists are taking time away from their practices to volunteer for this event.

Students enrolled in Palm Beach State’s Dental Assisting program will assist the dentists chair side, and PBSC Dental Hygiene students will conduct pre-exam interviews and patient education.

Free Dentistry Day is an outgrowth of the longtime partnership between Atlantic Coast Dental Research Clinic and Palm Beach State’s Dental Health Services Department.

ACDRC uses the College’s dental clinic to provide Dental Assisting students with the required clinical experience, as well as continuing education for community dentists.

Directions to the free dental clinic on PBSC’s Lake Worth Campus are as follows: Enter at Congress Ave. entrance (at traffic light between Sixth Ave. South and Lake Worth Rd.). Once on the campus, take the first left. At the stop sign, turn right.

The Dental Health (DH) building is the one-story building on the right. Park in the Copper parking lot directly across from the building.

No appointments will be taken, but for additional information, call 561-868-3747.

To learn more about PBSC’s Dental Health programs, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/programs/DentalHealth. For more information about ACDRC, visit www.AtlanticCoastDentalResearchClinic.org.

For a campus map, go to www.palmbeachstate.edu/LakeWorth.