SAN ANTONIO – Smiles and relief were in abundance on San Antonio’s West Side as the Texas Mission of Mercy provided free dental care at Our Lady of the Lake University.
Dental professionals from across San Antonio participated in the clinic, including staff from Advanced Smile Care on Lockhill Selma. Patients formed long lines after pre-registering online, and walk-ups were also welcome.
The clinic offered a range of services, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, partials and more — all at no cost.
Stacy Hill, director of Texas Mission of Mercy, said access to basic dental care can help reduce strain on hospitals. “Whether you have insurance or not, it’s one of the main causes of our emergency room visits. And we see a lot of emergency room visits that had they just had cleanings and/or the teeth removed, they wouldn’t be seen in our local hospitals,” Hill said.
Free clinics like this are held four times a year throughout Texas. For information on the next clinic, viewers were encouraged to visit the Texas Mission of Mercy website.