PARKERSBURG - About 600 patients were attended to Saturday at the Mission of Mercy dental clinic at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.
The two-day event had more than 700 dentists and dental hygenists seeing roughly 1,500 patients for free dental work that ranged from simple cleanings to tooth extractions and root canals.
"This is a real blessing," said Mellissa Messmore, 33. "I have one bad tooth that needs to be pulled and will probably need a cleaning."
Messmore drove to Parkersburg from her home in Lancaster, Ohio, after she heard about the clinic and knew she needed help.
"I've been hearing stories of people coming from as far as Virginia and Pennsylvania for this clinic," said Wendy Tuck, director of the Volunteer Action Center in Parkersburg.
Dr. Dale Brum, a Parkersburg dentist, said he chose to volunteer his services for a number of reasons, which included the fact that it was just a good thing to do.
"We know the need is out there and the number of people who came proves it," Brum said.
Joyce Mather, executive director of the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley, said the organizers of the event are pleased with how many people sought the services.
"We're really thrilled to have had the response," Mather said. "This is truly a reflection of the need for dental care in the state and national health plans."
Melissa Hepburn, 31, of Parkersburg, walked around the building Saturday morning with ice packs on her cheeks after she had three wisdom teeth removed.
"I got here at 3 this morning to get those wisdom teeth out," she said. "They had been hurting for years and now never again."
As part of the clinic, Hepburn also had her first dental cleaning.
"I had never had my teeth cleaned before," Hepburn said. "I'm a brush twice-a-day and floss girl, so it was kind of weird to have someone else brushing my teeth."
A large part of the WVU-P campus was used for the program, including hallways, classrooms and the multi-purpose room. The spaces were used for patient waiting areas as well as triage and X-ray areas, which included digital, high-tech units and portable X-ray machines.
While there has been some speculation of more dental clinics in the area, Mather said she is unsure.
"At this point, we don't know if we will do another in the future," she said. "Right now, we plan to meet with the state legislature to try and get dental coverage written into the West Virginia health plan."
More than 70 agencies volunteered their time and services to the clinic and a Martinsburg donor, who previously funded other Mission of Mercy clinics, provided funding.
