Free dental work available March 22-23 at Oman Arena
Oman Arena will go through a drastic transformation for the weekend of March 22 and 23.
The venue that hosts basketball games, professional wrestling, circuses and rodeos will become a massive dentist’s office for that weekend as the second annual Healthcare Community Health Fair will happen and bring opportunities for free dental care to those who need it but can’t afford it.
“West Tennessee Healthcare participated in this event last year and saw a huge need to collaborate and make it even bigger this year,” said Melissa Walls, director of disease management at West Tennessee Healthcare. “So we’re adding more resources to help with disease management, health risk assessments for heart disease and diabetes and services from other vendors including Kirkland Cancer Center, West Tennessee Heart and Vascular, Pathways Behavioral Health, women’s and children’s services, pharmacy and others.”
Martha Robinson, a professor in the University of Memphis at Lambuth’s department of management, is helping coordinate the event because she sees the need in the community.
“This was launched last year as a community outreach to help the underserved in Jackson with primary dental care,” Robinson said. “And there will be dental chairs spread throughout the Oman Arena with dentists performing everything from cleanings to extractions and partials, trying to meet the patients’ needs on the spot or be referred to dentists in the area if they can’t get help with us that day.”
While there are dentists coming in from other states to help with this effort, local dentists are encouraged to donate some of their time to be a part of this.
“We’d like to see more local professionals be a part of this community outreach effort and donate their services for four or eight hours one day or both days,” Robinson said. “I think they’ll be glad they did once they see how lives are changed from that small amount of time they do donate.”
Walls said she’s seen people’s entire outlooks on life change from going to this.
“We’ll have people come in that won’t look up much or smile because they’re not proud of their smile,” Walls said. “But then when they finally do get in that dentist’s chair and get work done to repair damaged teeth, it makes a world of difference in how they view themselves.”
Depending on the number of dentists and patients, there will probably be a wait time for people who come in, but there will be plenty of ways to pass the time while they wait. Different vendors will have information booths up to discuss any other needs the patients may have. There will also be a career readiness clinic for dressing for success with clothes available to help anyone who might be looking for a job.
“It starts with that smile that gives people confidence walking into a job interview, and then if they need it, we’ll have clothes available to choose from for an outfit for the interview and people there donating their time to help the patients pick out the right clothes that fit right for them,” Walls said.
Vouchers will be available for work that can’t be done at the event. The vouchers will help with the cost of the procedure at a local dentist’s office if it doesn’t pay for the entire procedure.
Local chapters of The Links Incorporated and 100 Black Men are helping with the effort as well.
Patients will need photo ID when they come, and those who come with children will need another adult with them so the children aren’t left alone while the adult is getting dental work done.
The event will happen from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. For more information, log on to springn2health.com.
“I’ve been a part of mission trips in third world countries, and that work is good and needed,” Robinson said. “But this is a way people can contribute to mission work here at home.”
Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or at 731-425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at editorbrandon.