HCC hopes to bring brighter smiles, dental health

WELDON — Those in need of dental care but unable to pay for it can look forward to opening wide and saying thank you when NC MOM rolls into Halifax Community College in February.

The HCC Board of Trustees voted Tuesday meeting to allow the college to be a site for the North Carolina Missions of Mercy (NC MOM) dental clinic.

The NC MOM is a portable free dental program that provides free dental services to adults in financial need with few or no other options through state several times a year.

“It is a wonderful organization,” said Dr. Bill Blaylock, a consulting dentist for HCC dental hygiene program and director of NC MOM. “It will be able to help the community and surrounding counties. It would be a tremendous asset.”

Blaylock, who was named the first director of the NC MOM in July, said he felt like the college would be a wonderful site for the program.

“We as an organization, society and professionals, we need to do all we can to help those who can’t afford dental treatment,” Blaylock said.

He has been involved with the program for about three years and felt good about being able to give back.

“It just warms you to give back to people in such need,” he said.

The program has about 12 clinics each year with three more scheduled for 2009. It is free for anyone who does not exceed the national poverty guidelines. The clinic provides fillings, extractions and cleanings. Treatment is provided on a first-come, first serve basis.

Blaylock said he is pleased that the college has agreed to be a host site.

“Halifax Community College is such integral part of the community,” he said. He noted that an event like this will not just involved the college but the city, service organizations, churches and others.

This year, more than 4,000 people have been served with $1.6 million in free dental care. He noted the services are provided by volunteers such as dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and others. NC MOM has enough equipment to set a 45 chair full dental clinic. Each clinic provides for 300 to 600 people during a two-day period.

There is an upcoming clinic in Dare County with 45 mobile dental units along with 40 more being donated from Virginia. Blaylock said he expected about 1,200 people at the clinic in two days.

Blaylock told trustees that there were some expenses with being host. Expenses such as provide lunch for the volunteers and fuel for the equipment. But, he added, the expenses are spread out through the community as not burden one organization.

“We have a lot of professional volunteers that come to our clinics,” he said. “It is a great opportunity.”

Blaylock noted that on the morning of the program he expected there would be a line of about 200 already waiting. “Some people walk around for months with toothaches waiting for our clinics,” he said.

Proof of income through pay stubs, utility bill, employer note or evidence of unemployment is required. “We do not turn anyone away,” he said. “If you need us, we’ll help you.”

Trustee chairman Dr. Stanley Edward said, “We see the worthiness of what you are doing. We really appreciate it.”

Trustee Reggie Baird asked Blaylock about the clinic possibly becoming an annual event. “I think this will be a long term site,” he said.

HCC President Dr. Ervin V. Griffin Sr. said he thought it would be a great opportunity for other groups to partner with the college.

Blaylock said he wanted to see the college carry the lion’s share of the project.

“If we have a good turnout and people want us back,” he said.

For more information about NC MOM, visit www.ncmissionsofmercy.org.