WELDON — Dr. Bill Blaylock was pleased with the success of the first North Carolina Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic held recently at Halifax Community College (HCC).

The numbers are in after the North Carolina Mission of Mercy dental clinic held at Halifax Community College this past weekend — the clinic saw 339 patients. Courtesy of Halifax Community College | The Daily Herald Advertisement

“This past weekend was fantastic,” said Blaylock, director of NC MOM and consulting dentist for the dental hygiene program at HCC. “It was a huge success for a first time clinic.”

He updated the college trustees during their board meeting Tuesday morning.

The two day clinic saw 339 patients with an estimated $155,000 in donations and services.

It was sponsored by the North Carolina Dental Society. Adult patients had dental cleanings, fillings and extractions done along with partial and denture repairs for free.

“President (Ervin) Griffin Sr. was there everyday,” Blaylock said. “The entire college got behind this. Everyone who took on a job did very well.”

The only disappointment, he added, was the fact they only had 10 dentists volunteering on Friday. “A lot of dentists in the northeastern section don’t know about us,” he said.

Blaylock hopes to bring the clinic back to the college next year.

“Once the word gets out and people who received services spread the word,” he said. “It will grow and get better and better.”

Tom Schwartz, vice president of institutional advancement, gave a brief summary of all the sponsors involved.

There were six meal sponsors along with a media and port-a-john sponsor, two hotels, four donors and 350 volunteers.

“I can’t say enough about Tom and President Griffin,” Blaylock said. “They made sure everything ran smoothly.”

He learned the trustees agreed at their November meeting to make the clinic an annual event. “We will start putting a schedule together in a couple of months.”

He noted Sen. Edward Jones and Rep. Lucy Allen came by the clinic on Friday.

“Next time, I invited the trustees to come and witness the wonderful work,” he said.

Griffin told Blaylock the college appreciated him bringing the clinic to the community. “It is one of the best, if not, the best community project done at the college,” he said.

Dr. Stanley Edwards, chair of the board of trustees, echoed the sentiment.

“We appreciate what you did. You helped to put Halifax Community College on the map,” he said.

Griffin added, “It helped to raise awareness of how involved the college is in the community.”

Edwards said he wanted to commit the trustees in coming to the clinic next time. “Some may even volunteer,” he said, adding, “It was wonderful program.”