How the FreeD.O.M. Clinic Is Serving the Communities of Marion County

 

The FreeD.O.M. Clinic provides free dental, optical, and medical care to the underinsured and uninsured residents of Marion County, motivated by a love of people and a passion to serve its community. 

 

Services Offered by the Clinic 

 

The clinic, whose regular volunteers include third-year dental student Alec Simonson, offers a range of dental services including x-rays, examinations, fillings, extractions, and oral hygiene education, alongside optical services such as cataract, diabetic, and glaucoma screenings and the provision of prescriptions and reading glasses.

 

The FreeD.O.M. Clinic also provides medical services including physical examinations, school physicals, general consultations, chronic disease prevention, and counselling for diabetes and hypertension. Services related to infectious diseases (such as HIV), skin examinations, and wound care are also offered, as well as the provision of limited prescriptions and non-narcotic medications. The clinic offers free healthcare education too, providing information and advice on diabetes, hypertension, and nutrition and fitness. 

How Does it Work? 

 

To access an appointment at the clinic, prospective patients must fill out the intake form which can be found on the organization's website. As a high volume of patients are seen every day, there is likely to be a significant wait on the day scheduled for treatment. The FreeD.O.M. Clinic is sponsored by the Marion County Hospital District, and no ID or insurance is required to receive any of the services offered. At present, root canals and crowns are not offered by the clinic due to the lengthy, intensive nature of these procedures and the sheer number of patients seen daily. In terms of extractions and fillings, the clinic’s policy is one tooth and one procedure per visit. 

 

A Record-Setting Day of Free Oral Care 

 

On Saturday, October 23, 2021, the Sante Fe Dental College set a record for the number of patients treated during a one-day dental event, organized by FreeD.O.M. USA. The seven-hour period saw the oral health care team provide care, free of charge, to 72 adults and children. The team included two dental residents (from the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center), two local private practitioners, three UF College of Dentistry faculty members, and a faculty member from Sante Fe College. Working alongside them were 13 UF dental students, four dental residents from UF’s Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, a dental assistant from a private practice, and many other volunteers who were on hand to assist with translation, organization, and more. 

 

Between the provided services and donated time of volunteers, it’s estimated that the team delivered over $112,000 in donated care, with several patients receiving endodontic treatment to relieve painful conditions. 

The Many Benefits of Dentistry Volunteering

 

For dentistry professionals, there are plenty of opportunities to use their skills in a volunteering capacity. This could be via direct patient care or serving on relevant planning or public health boards, for example. Many schools and senior centers seek oral health volunteers too, and individuals could consider organizing a sponsored event to raise awareness of and money for oral cancer.

Working with the organizers of other community events, such as sports tournaments, carnivals, and school fairs, also provides opportunities for dental screening. When it comes to volunteering in dentistry, there is a plethora of ways to make a difference.

Connecting to Others

Regular dentistry volunteers like Alec Simonson understand that volunteering is an effective means of connecting with and having a positive impact on underprivileged communities, helping to make them a better place. As well as providing dentistry services, advice, and raising funds, volunteers have the opportunity to make new friends, boost their social skills, and expand their network.

Enhancing Wellbeing

As well as combating depression, volunteering can relieve the effects of anger, stress, and anxiety, having a significant and positive effect on an individual’s psychological wellbeing. Studies have even found that volunteers enjoy a lower mortality rate than their non-volunteering counterparts. Increasing self-confidence, providing a sense of purpose, and promoting happiness are all benefits of undertaking volunteering activities.

Career Boosting

Those who have experience in volunteering on their resumes may well stand out from other candidates in the recruitment process. It demonstrates to a potential employer that they’re willing to donate their own time to help make their communities a better place and follow their own initiative. Volunteering also gives individuals the opportunity to practice important workplace skills such as problem solving, team work, communication, organization, and planning.

Volunteering Opportunities with the American Dental Association

Those interested in dentistry volunteering opportunities may want to consider those available via the American Dental Association (ADA). These include the Give Kids a Smile initiative, which sees 10,000 dentists delivering free oral care services a year to underserved children. Since this program launched in 2003, it has helped more than 5.5 million children. Furthermore, the ADA’s Dental Lifeline Network currently has over 15,000 volunteer dentists along with 3,700 volunteer laboratories. The network facilitates comprehensive, donated treatment to the elderly, those with disabilities, and the medically compromised, and aims to reduce the more than two million emergency room visits every year caused by neglected teeth.

For more information about volunteering with the ADA, take a look at the embedded PDF.