Andrea Flores EDINBURG – Hidalgo County is partnering with local dentists, DHR Health, Lone Star National Bank and others to bring the first Texas Mission of Mercy-RGV free dental mobile clinic.
The clinic will take place starting at 6 a.m. Sept. 15 and 16 in the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg. The purpose is to provide dental care, such as cleanings, extractions and fillings to underserved populations in the county.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Carlos Cruz came up with this idea about a year ago and talked to the county to bring this event to reality. Cruz talked about why dental care matters.
“The oral cavity is the first orifice that we have,” he said. “We talk and we laugh, but we eat, and we have to have hygiene, like we take care of our body.”
Cruz also explained that some people end up in the emergency room taking painkillers and antibiotics because of a toothache and said they can prevent these situations.
“The patient has to stay a few days in the hospital and those patients, you know, we can save them by doing these types of events,” he said.
The Hidalgo County Community Service Agency allocated $65,000 from federal and state funding to make this project possible.
Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez said it is a much-needed event as a high percentage of people in the community do not have access to health care.
“Unfortunately, it was shown that throughout the United States, only 30% of people have dental insurance, that means that 70% don’t,” Cortez said. “So, our needy people need to have access to this and to have this clinic here gives them an opportunity to do that.”
Cortez advised the community to attend the pre-screening event to reduce wait time. The next pre-screening will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at Nuestra Clinica del Valle in Mission.
